SEXTING

The question often raised among pediatricians and parenting experts is whether parenting teens has become more challenging than two or three decades ago. Although it may appear at first to be a philosophical question, the fact is that the majority of today’s parents may not be aware of the term “vamping.”

Many parents do not have rules about adolescent usages of smartphones after 11 P.M. They allow teens to take these devices to bed and vamping is the often under-recognized activity of a teen who uses a phone after midnight to send text messages to friends who are also awake. That may not be news. But when the texting include the sending or receiving of sexual images which may be defined as child pornography, a whole new can of worms is opened.

In a provocative and eye-opening piece in The Atlantic (November 2014), written by Hanna Rosin, the author observes that “Millions of teens send nude selfies to other kids, with unpredictable consequences.” The article refers to a recent scandal involving scores of girls—some just 14 years old—on an Instagram page; a scandal which illustrated that most parents are clueless, that police do not know what to do and that there is a need for the legal system to adjust and update its current laws.
Few would argue that there is a tendency among parents, teachers and youth workers to become alarmed by the rapidly evolving society and the redefinition of morals. Some refer to this trend as “juvenoia.”

However, mediatricians (pediatricians who dedicate their work only on how media impacts children and youth) tell us we have reason to get alarmed about the relationship between sexting and early adolescent sexual activity; the role sexting may play in creating anxiety, depression, cyber-bullying and sadly, in some cases, teen suicide.

Experts have failed to reach a consensus about the accuracy of data and the methodology to research the extent and nature of sexting. A paper appearing in Pediatrics (Dec 2011) was critical of data produced by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy which stated that 20% of teens had sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves. Instead, the authors of the Pediatrics publication argue that only 10% of teens engage or take part in sexting and that in 30% of cases it is preceded by the abuse of alcohol and drugs; that it is part of a prank or an effort to get a date; that the vast majority of teens who sext do it only once or twice a year.
Other information gathered showed that:
—in the group of teens who texted sexually explicit images of themselves, 61% were girls; 72% were ages 16 or 17 and 6% were 10 to 12 years old.
—in the group who received images, but did not appear in or create them, 56% were girls; 55% were ages 16 or 17 and none were younger than 12 years.
—of those who received images 28% reported the incidents to an authority such as a parent, teacher or police.
—in the majority of cases the person responsible for sexting was someone the youth receiving the text knew. When adults were involved they were all young adults (ages 18 to 21)

There is consensus that parents and teens need more education about the legal implications of sharing nude pictures when the teen is under-aged. Few appreciate the fact that the possession of sexually explicit images of minors constitutes a criminal offense. In the USA, Vermont has taken steps to decriminalize some forms of this behaviour while other states have reduced the severity to misdemeanor status.

Although only ten percent of those who receive images resend them, in some cases such sharing online has led to teen suicide (The Atlantic piece refers to a situation where two teens broke up and one became bitter. As a form of revenge, sexually explicit pictures were shared widely and sadly it resulted in a teen committing suicide)

Some teens also do not understand that although these images supposedly “disappear” after a certain time, it may actually resurface later and perhaps compromise their opportunities to be employed or admitted into university.

Surveys done in my clinic tell me the majority of parents are unfamiliar with the term “vamping.” Only a few parents know exactly what Snapchat is and if their teen uses that tool.

Over 28 years of clinical community-based medicine I am always impressed by how much work is involved in a parent’s role of assisting teens to navigate the ever-evolving dramas and pains associated with the coming of age. For parents who are open to educating themselves about the impact of modern media on the teen’s mental health, I highly suggest they bookmark a great resource from Harvard: www.cmch.tv
DR. NIEMAN WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE CANADIAN PEDIATRIC SOCIETY’S FIRST POSITION PAPER ON CHILDREN AND MEDIA. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC’S SECTION ON CHILDREN AND MEDIA AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALBERTA CHAPTER OF THE AAP.