第四 (Fourth Blog Post)

Inappropriate Content & Sexting

TW: Includes talk about pornography, sexting, bullying, and incrimination.

Inappropriate Content

"Exposure to pornography at a young age may lead to poor mental health, sexism and objectification, sexual violence, and other negative outcomes. Among other risks, when children view pornography that portrays abusive and misogynistic acts, they may come to view such behaviour as normal and acceptable." Unicef

Pornography: a topic that nobody wants to address. It can be an uncomfortable topic especially when talking to children and teens. Some educators say that out of sight is out of mind. However, that is not the case. Today's youth are exposed to pornography now more than ever. It is no longer a question of "what to do if they will see pornography", but "what can they do when they see pornography." When kids first encounter pornography they are typically not seeking it for themselves, but run into it accidentally. Ad blockers and limited internet access simply aren't enough to protect them. It is important for youth to feel comfortable to ask adults for help when they run into pornography. Their parents should be their number one support, but educators should be prepared to answer some of their questions too. We should never shame our students or make them feel like they are bad people because of what they might encounter. All students should learn the dangers and legalities of pornography regardless of religion or race.

Sexting and Sextortion

"As children grow and develop, they become more interested in relationships and sex. One way they do this is through sexting. Sexting is the sharing and receiving of sexually explicit messages and nude or partially nude images via cellphone. " NetSmartz

Another type of inappropriate content that is similar to pornography is sexting. Sexting can be a lot more dangerous because it includes pictures or messages to and from students. A lot of teens feel obligated to send sexually explicit photos or messages because of peer pressure or pressure from their partner. A simple text message can lead to unwanted photos and child pornography. Many students who send or receive nude photos don't realize that what they are doing is actually illegal. If these photos get into the wrong hands they can get into a lot of legal trouble. It is important for students to know about sexting and the danger that can come from it. There is nothing wrong with being in relationships while they are minors, but it begins a problem when they start to engage in sexting. Educators can help teach the legalities regarding minors and sexual content, and encourage students to reach out for help if they are in danger. When nude images are shared to others without permission they can often be used as blackmail. This is known as sextortion. If a student comes up to a trusted adult about the issues they are facing the should be met with love and support.

We must do better and help students through their guilt and shame. Nothing will change if we ignore the warning signs and legalities that come with these difficult topics.