Last Word On Sexting

I hope this is my last post on sexting. I have spent the week reading blogs that mention sexting and there are a couple of main themes that keep surfacing, one is that our kids' futures will be destroyed if someone sends them a picture and the other one is that there is so little we can do because our kids are so much more savvy than we are when it comes to technology.

I am astounded at the lack of parenting both these themes represent. I mentioned before, and I've spent the week commenting on other blogs, call your cell phone provider! You can turn off text messaging and picture messaging. You can limit the time of day your child uses their phone. You can limit to and from whom your child receives calls. Concerned your child will be a social outcast? Then maybe you should stop trying to be their friend and start being their parent. I spoke to a friend this week and she told me that her daughter's new boyfriend doesn't have text messaging so instead of spending their time apart texting back and forth, they talk. My friend said her daughter has a better relationship with this boy because he understands her better. He understands what the inflections in her voice mean. There is a benefit to encouraging our children to communicate old school.

As for the general lack of understanding of technology, you better start learning. My first grader did a report on dinosaurs and used the computer to do research. If you have wi-fi in your home, your video game systems probably connect to the internet. Your kids can play their games with friends and they can also play with people they don't know. It is up to you to control these devices. In coming posts I will provide information on how to set controls on various game systems, explain more about My Space, Facebook, file sharing etc.

It isn't up to the police or the schools to educate our kids on the dangers of the internet, etc. It's our job as their parents. I'm happy to help you as a source of information.

Enjoy your day.