7 Disturbing Realities About Teen ‘Sexting’ Trend
Imagine your “naive,” just-developing daughter looking in the mirror and repeatedly wondering, “Am I attractive? Do I look sexy? Guys at school say girls who don’t sext aren’t cool; they’re stuck up. Is that me?”
Then some Justin Bieber guy on whom she’s had a crush texts her. You and your spouse are asleep, and she’s exiting the shower. The conversation goes: “BAE, WYD?” “Getting ready for bed” “WHAT ARE YA WEARING?” “Wraparound towel” “WOW! YOU ALWAYS LOOK SO HOT. BET YOU’RE SMOKIN’ HOT NOW!” “Really?” “TAYLOR SWIFT’S GOT NOTHIN ON YOU. YOU’RE ALONE—SHOOT ME A PIX. JUST FOR ME. I’LL DELETE IT … PROMISE. COME ON, I’M PERSISTENT BAE!”
Vulnerable. Gullible. Alone. Late. Why not … Once … Just for him?
Practical Guidance for Parents:
1. Pray to God for divine protection, discernment and wisdom. Your assignment is to equip and empower them to make wise decisions on their own. Help them understand choices and long-term effects.
2. Make sure you are meaningfully involved in a community of believers with like-minded parents who share a biblical worldview on sexuality and parenting.
3. Be engaged with cellphone use, monitoring and the safeguards available today. Many wise parents have initiated reasonable curfews in the evening regarding cellphone use.
4. Reject the notion that in the teen years parents step back rather than stay involved. In this season they need you more than ever!
5. Remember you’re first and foremost a parental authority, not a buddy or friend. Talk show host Kelly Ripa shared recently about her 13-year-old daughter having cellphone privileges curtailed. “I don’t care if she doesn’t like me. I’m not trying to be her friend. I’m her mom!”
6. Teach your children there is a mystique to sex that’s God-ordained. While the culture seduces us with “Indulge yourself,” the Holy Scriptures direct us, “Control yourself.”
“Young women … I charge you: Do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time” (Song 8:4, CSB).
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven … a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing … He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl. 3:1, 5b, 11, RSV).
7. Clearly and convincingly explain there are very severe legal consequences for sexting. In some states teenagers can be charged with a felony, a 20-year prison sentence and registered as a sex offender for life. Continue with a very honest conversation about ruined reputation, humiliation, depression, revenge tactics, sexual predators and opening doors to pornography, homosexuality and eventually even suicide.
Remember your normal sexual curiosity as a youth? It’s by divine design. But if parental authorities are not present to instruct, steer and oversee it in young people, it becomes like a fire out of control leading to disastrous consequences. In today’s cultural morass, we have no more options except to hit this head on and trust God for His protection.
Here’s the deal: There simply are no easy solutions or shortcuts anymore. The United States of America desperately needs a transformative revival. As we await that divine intervention, let us pray and stay close together as families did in the time of Nehemiah when the city of God was being restored.
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with 42 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit LarryTomczak.com and follow him on Facebook or at @larrytomczak on Twitter.
