New Resource to Help Kids Stand Up to Sexting

On your list of tricky topics to bring up with your kids, how high is sexting? Top 3? Top 10? Is it even there? The combination of digital cameras, instant messaging, and the adolescent brain puts our kids at huge risk. Bullying begins. An intimate photo is blasted. Police are called in. Kids today need to know they have better options. They need to know that they can stand up to sexting. 

Fortunately, there’s a phenomenal resource that takes this tricky topic and turns it into a fun—yes fun!—and incredibly comfortable conversation starter. It’s a book (or a guide, if you prefer). And it’s called Stand Up To Sexting: An Open Conversation for Parents & Kids. 

We had the privilege of sitting down this week with the authors, Christy Monson and Heather Boynton. Both are professionals in the field of child development. And both have seen firsthand the devastating effects that sexting is having on kids in our high schools, colleges, and even our elementary schools. So, what did they do? They decided to act—TO STAND UP—and to do something about it.

Help kids Stand Up to Sexting

With Christy and Heather’s combined experience and expertise, they created a resource that allows families to get past the awkward to foster better communication, and help change the trajectory of their kids’ experience with digital devices. 

What to expect in this episode:

• Being at the crossroads for your kids. Whether it’s cyberbullying, sextortion, or simply feeling the pressure to fit in, kids can find themselves in situations that turn bad real fast. It is so important that your child or teen feels safe asking for help. Their safety depends on it. 

• Girls, boys, and the “new first base.” How would your teen respond to a request for an intimate photo? It can be incredibly confusing. What if I have strong feelings for this person? If I’m not comfortable sending this, does that mean I’m not ready to date? Our guests also took the time to describe the different vulnerabilities between girls and boys.

• What age is the book geared towards? With the book’s colorful illustrations, short chapters, stories, and questions to ponder, it’s perfect for children ages 10 to 14. Studies indicate that the age a child gets their first smartphone often determines when they’ll see their first sext. But remember that kids without phones can still be exposed or victimized by sexts.

• What if my child is already sexting? When kids are in trouble of any kind, we need to S-L-O-O-O-W right down (our guests were adamant about this!). Listen. Love. Find ways to connect. Keep the doors of communication open. Sadly, 40% of kids say they wouldn’t talk to their parents if they got a sext.

Episode challenge

Today’s challenge is a new twist on that age-old question, what did you do today? Instead ask, what new word did you learn today? Asking a specific question like this helps kids know where to start the conversation. After that, it’s up to you where you want to take it. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!

More about today’s guests

Christy Monson has an M.S. in Counseling Psychology and Marriage & Family Therapy from University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She established a successful counseling practice in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she worked with children and their families. Christy is teaching continuing education classes in children’s literature at Weber State University, Ogden Campus. Her Books include: Finding Peace in Times of Tragedy; Family Talk: How to Organize Family Meetings to Strengthen Family Relationships; Love, Hugs, and Hope, When Scary Things Happen; Becoming Free, A Woman’s Guide to Internal Strength; Stand Up to Sexting, An Open Conversation for Parents and Kids; plus, several children’s fiction books, and a children’s book of biographies.

Heather Boynton is a mom to three girls and one boy, three of which are currently teenagers. She’s been married to her husband Dave for 19 years and loves going to the beach, riding bikes with her family, and going on dates with her kids. Heather received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Fresno and she is currently a professor at Clovis Community College in California. She teaches classes on adolescent and child development and is passionate about intentional teaching and parenting and considers her role as mom her most important job and greatest privilege. 

Links/Resources

Stand Up to Sexting: An Open Conversation for Parents and Tweens (order a copy!)

Ep. #1-4, Give Your Kids a Construction Site: Creating A Safe Place for Difficult Discussions

Ep. #1-15, Kids Trading Nudes or “Sexting”: Have You Talked About It?

Ep. #2-16, Body Safety: How to Empower Kids & Teens

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, Parents Aware/Media Savvy Moms receives a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks for helping to support us in our mission to protect families from the harms of pornography.

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Media Savvy Moms Podcast

Who knew honest conversations about parenting and pornography could be so approachable? Join Marilyn for a series of contemplations, chats, and interviews as she helps fellow parents tackle this challenging topic with their kids.

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