Week 5: Respect- Sexting & Other Dangers
Welcome back to our series Growing Safe Together: A Sumer Safety Series for Families! Over the past two weeks, we've explored the foundations of internet safety—teaching children how to protect their personal information, make wise choices online, navigate social media and video games safely, and respond to cyberbullying. Those conversations are the building blocks of digital safety, and they prepare children for the more difficult situations they may encounter as they grow older.
This week's topics are some of the hardest for parents to talk about: sexting, sextortion, deepfakes, online relationships, and trafficking. If those words feel overwhelming, you're not alone. Many parents wonder where to begin or worry they'll say the wrong thing. The good news is that you don't have to be a technology expert to protect your child. What matters most is creating an environment where your child feels safe asking questions, talking about difficult situations, and coming to you for help. Together, we'll break these topics down into practical conversations and simple steps you can take to help your family navigate today's digital world with confidence.
Sexting
As children grow older and begin using smartphones and social media, parents face new challenges in helping them navigate the digital world safely. One of those challenges is sexting—the sending, receiving, or sharing of sexually explicit messages or images through phones, social media, or other digital devices. While some teens view it as harmless flirting or a way to fit in, the reality is that once an image is sent, it can quickly spread beyond the intended recipient and become impossible to take back.
Sexting has become increasingly common among adolescents. Research suggests that approximately 1 in 7 teens has sent a sexually explicit image, while about 1 in 4 teens has received one. Many young people report feeling pressured by dating partners or peers to send intimate photos, making it even more important for parents to have ongoing conversations about digital safety before these situations arise.
The best prevention begins long before children have their own phones. When children are young, teach healthy habits about taking pictures and respecting privacy. Explain that they should never take pictures of other people without permission, never take photos in bathrooms or locker rooms, and never take inappropriate pictures of themselves or anyone else. When we teach elementary aged kids, we say “if you don’t want your mom or teacher to see the picture or video, then you should not be taking it, sending it, or sharing it”. These simple rules create a strong foundation for understanding respect, privacy, and personal boundaries.
As children get older, continue the conversation instead of assuming they already know the risks. Talk openly about peer pressure, healthy relationships, self-respect, and the permanence of digital images. Help them understand that once a picture is shared, they lose control over where it may end up or who may see it. Encourage them to value themselves enough not to seek validation through inappropriate images or put themselves in potentially dangerous situations. Likewise, teach them to respect others by never pressuring, manipulating, or coercing someone into sharing images, and by responding with kindness rather than bullying, judging, or spreading someone's private mistakes. It's also important to discuss the potential consequences, including damaged friendships and relationships, embarrassment, bullying, emotional distress, and, in some cases, legal consequences depending on the age of those involved and state laws.
Finally, create family rules that reduce opportunities for risky situations. Consider requiring phones to charge overnight in a common area instead of bedrooms and establish a time each evening when phones are put away. These boundaries not only help prevent poor decisions late at night but also encourage healthier sleep habits and family connection.
Sextortion
Sextortion is a form of exploitation where someone threatens to share a person's private photos, videos, or messages unless they meet certain demands. These demands may include sending more explicit images, paying money, or continuing communication. In many cases, the person making the threats is someone the child has never met in real life. They may pretend to be another teenager, spend time building trust online, and then pressure the child into sharing an inappropriate picture before using it as blackmail.
Talk with your child about sextortion before they ever encounter it. Help them understand that anyone who asks for inappropriate pictures or threatens them is not acting like a friend. Most importantly, reassure your child that they can come to you if this ever happens. Children often stay silent because they are embarrassed or afraid they'll get in trouble. Let them know that your first priority is helping and protecting them. Knowing they have a trusted adult to turn to can make all the difference in a frightening situation.
Deepfakes
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to create highly realistic fake photos, videos, and audio recordings, often called deepfakes. In some cases, a person's face can be digitally placed onto an image or video that appears real but is completely fabricated. Unfortunately, this technology is becoming more common and is sometimes used to embarrass, bully, or exploit others online.
Talk with your child about the importance of protecting their digital footprint and thinking carefully before sharing photos online. Help them understand that not everything they see on the internet is real and that technology can be misused. Most importantly, remind them that if someone ever creates or shares a fake image of them, it is not their fault, and they should tell a trusted adult right away. Responding quickly with support can help protect your child and prevent further harm.
Online Relationships & Trafficking
Human trafficking is the exploitation of another person through force, fraud, or coercion for someone else's gain. While many people picture trafficking as something that begins with a stranger on the street, many cases start online. A trafficker may pretend to be a teenager, a potential romantic partner, or someone offering friendship. They often spend time building trust before asking a child to keep secrets, move conversations to private apps, share personal information, or eventually meet in person.
Parents can help protect their children by having regular conversations about online relationships. Remind your child that people are not always who they claim to be online and that healthy friendships never require secrecy, inappropriate pictures, or meeting someone without a trusted adult's knowledge. Set clear family rules about who they can communicate with online, encourage them to tell you if someone makes them uncomfortable, and reassure them they can always come to you without fear of getting in trouble. An open relationship with a trusted adult remains one of the strongest protections a child can have.
Hope and Help Are Always Available
Being victimized online can have a significant impact on a child's emotional well-being and may increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. That's why it's so important to remind children that no mistake, embarrassing situation, or online threat is too big to bring to a trusted adult. There is always hope, and help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, where trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential support.
Ultimately, this conversation is about more than internet safety—it's about helping children build character. When children learn to respect themselves, they're more likely to make choices that protect their hearts, minds, and futures. When they learn to respect others, they're less likely to pressure, ridicule, or exploit someone else's vulnerability. Technology will continue to change, but values like respect, kindness, integrity, and empathy never go out of style. As parents and caregivers, we have the opportunity to help our children develop those values today so they can navigate tomorrow's digital world with wisdom, confidence, and compassion. And remember, the most important message your child can hear is this: You have value. You are loved. You are not alone.
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The NETCAC provides educational information for families, schools, churches, and community groups across Northeast Texas. If you or your organization is interested in more information, or hosting an educational event, please contact Caitlin Graham at (903)629-7588.
