How parents can monitor child's sexting

BINGHAMTON, N.Y., May 8 (UPI) -- Sexting, sending sexually charged messages or images by cell phone, can take seconds, but its effects can last an eternity in cyberspace, a U.S. author says.

Mary Muscari of the Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton (N.Y.) University, the author of "Let Kids be Kids: Rescuing Childhood," says a survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl.com found 20 percent of teens -- 22 percent of girls and 18 percent of boys -- electronically sent or posted online nude or semi-nude photos or videos of themselves.

Muscari suggests parents monitor their children in cyberspace, just as they would anywhere else, by knowing "the who, what, when, where and why of their telecommunications activity."

"The easiest way to do this is to keep tech toys out of their bedroom," Muscari says in a statement. "Keep the computer in an area where it can be monitored, and have the kids turn in their cell phones and other hand-held devices before bedtime to prevent nightly text-fests and potential sexting."

She also suggests parents:

-- Know what your kids are posting online.

-- Talk to children about relationships and the importance of their reputation.

-- Discuss their online and cell phone activity.

-- Set rules for tech use, including cell phones, and make sure to include, and enforce, consequences for breaking those rules.