Remember those days when you liked someone and you would fall asleep on the phone together? FORGET IT NOW! That era of those innocent and silly “falling in love” rituals are over; instead, it’s been replaced with a much faster paced, risqué form of communication aptly referred to as SEXTING. Sexting is the act of text messaging someone in the hopes of having a sexual encounter with them later; initially casual, transitioning into highly suggestive and even sexually explicit. And who is doing it these days??? EVERYONE….even your teenage kids.
The average teenager texts at LEAST 50 times a day, sometimes more than 100 times a day! So what’s to say that one of those messages passing through your child’s phone isn’t sexually explicit, or maybe deadly? What are your kids talking about? New studies have revealed that children who text more than 120 times per day (called “hyper-texters”) are more likely to be exposed to risky behavior, including drinking, fighting, and sexual behavior. In a study of over 4000 students, at least one in 25 students fell into the category of a “hyper-texter”.
So how can you be in the know?
- Be technologically savvy. NOT knowing how your child’s devices work can end up hurting you in the end.
- Get a detailed phone bill. When you get the invoice, you will know EXACTLY how much text usage your child has.
- Play I-Spy. Check your child’s phone every week to make sure proper usage is being practiced.
- Be old-fashioned. Sometimes plain face-to-face interaction and communication goes a long way. Not only that, but it will also encourage your child to put the phone down when in the company of respectable people, such as job interviews or college professors.
Did you find this blog to be helpful or useful? What are your thoughts on today’s ways of communication? Let me hear your thoughts on the blog!
Non-communication is a serious issue that can result in depression, asocial behavior, anxiety and anger issues. Take back your mental health and live a healthier life! Take the Dr. Owens Mental Health Prescreen Assessment today and check your mental status today!
