Sexting in Idaho: what your teen is doing behind the screens
A study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy shows about 40% of teens are sexting. On Monday, an Idaho lawmaker introduced new legislation towards the popular practice of “sexting” with teens.
Representative Greg Chaney (R-Caldwell) is proposing a bill to draw a clear line between pornography and sexting. In a press release, Chaney says “Making a poor choice with a camera phone shouldn’t turn an adolescent into a registered sex offender”. If Chaney’s legislation continues through, sexting between anyone under 18 would be a misdemeanor.
This way it would remove the current statute making similar activity a felony and could ultimately but teens on the registry as a sex offender.
This popular trend of “sexting” is something that happens throughout the nation. In Idaho, it’s no different.
A student at BYU-Idaho who we’re calling “Jane” to protect her identity found herself in a scary situation as she got involved with a boy who wanted to sext back in high school.
“I didn’t get a lot of attention from boys,” said Jane “I was in a really bad place and I had low self esteem.”
Jane’s not alone, many young girls and boys feel the pressure to engage in suggestive or inappropriate text messages and pictures. Many apps such as Snapchat, Yik Yak, and even Kik make it easier for teens to do this and get away with it.
In Jane’s case, three years after it all happened, she says her parents still do not know. “I’m honestly embarrassed that they will found out.”
Resources for Parents
If you’re a parent and you think your teen might be sexting- here are some resources for you to keep your teen safe.
If you are an Apple user, there is an easy solution to add restrictions to your teens phones- for a complete step by step instructions click here.
Apps you want to be aware of:Snapchat, Yik Yak, and Kik are very popular among teens. While some of these apps have restrictions of use near high schools, your teen can still access them at home or a certain milage away from school. It’s also to important to remind your teen that while pictures or messages may “disappear” from the app- many of the photos and messages are backed up on external servers.
Many experts also encourage parents to have open conversations with teens about sexting, letting them know the consequences involved. While laws in Idaho are not set in stone for teen sexting, that’s not to say there are not consequences if your teen does sext.
