5 harmful effects of sexting and how a text monitoring app can help parents

Sexting is the rising danger among kids. Teens and even pre-teens are involved in the sending and receiving of sexually explicit messages or images. This is done either by text or internet messaging apps. According to Pew Research center, 15% kids have received “sexts” through text messages and 4% have admitted to sending nudes to others.

Some kids are forced by their partners to send such messages and some think that it is normal because they don’t realize the dangers associated with it. Sexting can backfire in multiple ways, which is why parents need to start text messages monitoring as well.

Harmful effects of sexting

Here are major harms of sexting, which can damage kids:

Sharing

Kids may send sexts to their partners because they trust them, but they can misuse these messages. They can forward their messages to others and make them a gossip item for people.

Digital Footprint

Anything that reaches the internet can be tracked. A digital trail is created and it can cause a lot of trouble. Most kids don’t get proper jobs or have disturbed relationships because of their past that can be easily searched on the internet. A nude sent just for fun can later become a big problem for them.

Bullying

People can use such information for bullying. As a result, kids may face harsh remarks and receive hate from peers. The bullies leave no chance to embarrass the victims.

Depression

The embarrassment causes depression. Kids become socially withdrawn and wish to stay at home. If not handled timely this can also lead to suicide.

Body Shaming

It is possible that the images sent may turn into body shaming by the partners. This can also happen if the images, go online. Other kids show no mercy in saying bad things and this shatters kid’s self-esteem completely.

How can you stop it?

Here are a few tips to help parents stop it:

Parental Controls

A text monitoring app can help you detect if your kid is involved in such activity. Apps such as FamilyTime allow you to do so with its SMS tracking feature. You can access their messages and read them. It is easy and convenient. You can also keep a 24/7 watch on their other cellphone activities, block apps, and manage device usage. Get it and try:

It will help you to spot:

• Sexting slang
• Sexual offers
• Hate speech
• Depressive thoughts

Block Apps

You can block the sexting apps or other apps that are being used for the same purpose. Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Kik are the popular apps for sexting.

Talk

Have a talk with them. Tell them about the dangers of sexting and how they can be safe.

A little prevention can go a long way!

By using a text monitoring app you can prevent all these harms from happening. Bullying and shaming can have long-term effects on kids. They might do this thinking it’s just for fun but it can come back to them later in time. To lose a job or good opportunities because of a mistake in teenage doesn’t sound good at all. So protect your kids in time and make parental control apps a part of your digital life.