Sexting
Technology and Sexting
Sexting is when people send or receive sexual pictures, messages, or videos through technology. This is far more common in people under the age of 18 due to social media and their access to cell phones.
If someone is sending you unwanted sexual images you should report this to a trusted adult. If someone is asking you for sexual images, you should not send the images. If you feel you can not say no, you can choose to block this person or get a trusted adult involved.
Sexting for people under the age of 18 is illegal in South Dakota.
Studies show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually assaulted.
How to Protect Your Children
- Help set boundaries for children. Setting boundaries with children is helpful in many aspects. This can open the door to conversations with your children. Allow children to share personal information with you to develop a healthy relationship with your children and allow for open communication.
- Pay attention when you feel that other adults are crossing boundaries with children, like demanding physical touch (hugs, kisses), spending alone time with a child in a school or church setting. Help uphold and model boundaries and allow children to create boundaries for themselves.
- Let children know that they have the right to make decisions about their bodies. Teach them their body parts and how they work. Do not give their body part nicknames. Empower them to talk about their body and if something is wrong to tell you. Allow them to tell people no if they don’t want to be touched, even if it is a hug or a handshake.