Teens Receiving Unsolicited Nude Photos

Happy almost summer…we think? For tweens, it’s complicated. They’ve aged out of camps but aren’t quite old enough for (most) summer jobs. So where does that leave them? Seriously…we’re asking 😬

As moms, we have to accept that tech and social media is a huge part of our kids’ lives. But here’s the thing: no one gave us a manual on how to parent in this chronically online era. We were learning the hard way, in real time, just trying to keep up. That’s why we created this guide. It’s what we wish we had when we started navigating this digital parenting world. Giving your kid a phone is a personal decision, and we're not here to tell you when to do it—but we are here to help you feel more confident and informed when that moment comes. Phones aren’t the enemy, it’s just that most of us were never taught how to parent in a digital world. So we created Screen Sense, the resource we needed as parents. And now it’s yours too!

Teens and The Dangers of Sexting

The average teen receives an unsolicited nude photo by age 13. That’s a terrifying stat. And what’s even scarier is how normal our teens seem to think it is. Research suggests that most teens believe receiving nude photos just comes with the territory of having a phone. It’s our job as parents to reinforce the idea that this is not normal, even if “everyone is doing it.” Teaching our kids that their bodies (and everyone else’s) deserve privacy is essential. No one is entitled to see them without clothes on. It doesn't matter if they’re romantically involved with them or not, that’s never a given. And they likely won’t want to hear this part, but it must be said: sending or receiving explicit photos can have long-lasting consequences. Sometimes sounding like a broken record actually works. 

For tough and uncomfortable issues like these, Screen Sense really comes in handy. We help you navigate the incredibly rocky terrain that is parenting kids with phones attached to their hands. We’re all in this together!

What To Do When You Don’t Like Who Your Teen is Dating 

So your teen brought home an aspiring DJ–now what (just kidding DJs, you deserve love too!)? It’s a bummer for everyone when you’re not a fan of the person your child is dating. One thing we know that has NEVER worked in the history of teenage kind is forbidding your kid to date the person you don’t approve of (excluding any safety issues, of course). This is a delicate issue. Your child doesn’t want to feel like you don’t trust their judgement. So before you offer your two cents, consider some of these helpful tips to navigate the situation:

• Self-reflect. Ask yourself why you don’t feel like this person is a good fit for your child. Are you reacting to their behaviors and actions or are you responding to your own personal biases? If we want our kids to reflect, first we have to do the same! 

• Ask questions before offering advice. This is a tough one. It’s our instinct to impart wisdom to our kids and sometimes it’s helpful! But when it comes to matters of the heart, teens will often feel like the advice is rooted in judgement. Instead, try asking questions about your child’s boyfriend or girlfriend, how they met, what they like about them, etc. Lead with your curiosity. 

• Extend an invite. Before you make any sweeping judgements, invite your teen’s significant other over for dinner. Get to know them on a deeper level, ask them questions, see how they interact with your child one-on-one. Keep an open mind! 

As with basically everything when it comes to parenting, leading with love and compassion is the key. 

Who To Follow: Positive Influencers For Teens

Social media isn’t all doom and gloom. There are some huge positives that can come from it, especially for teens! We’ve decided to highlight one account per week that we think teens could benefit from following! 

Jason Wilson is an author and journalist whose mission is to teach men emotional intelligence through martial arts and mindfulness. He works to redefine masculinity and encourage young men to express themselves in a healthy way. Amen to that!