The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) announced a panel discussion titled “Youth Sexting: What Parents Should Know and the Role of Adults” at University of St. Martin (see related story). It’s certainly a timely initiative, because the practice of sharing sexually explicit pictures and messages has become a serious issue among teenagers, just like instigating and recording fights to post the footage on social media and get views.
In both cases their tool is the mobile phone, able to take and distribute images in the blink of an eye. The problem is that those directly involved often don’t appear to realise the widespread and sometimes lasting negative effects of such dubious activities.
Even persons who would never make public photos showing their intimate parts or of themselves in compromising positions, yet allow others they trust to have these, are running a huge risk. Today’s closest friend could suddenly become tomorrow’s worst enemy, with all possible consequences.
Focussing the debate on adults including teachers is sensible, because they can make a big difference. Let’s face it, however, forbidding or totally controlling the use of electronic devices by youngsters nowadays is almost unthinkable and at any rate difficult to say the least.
Better is to speak with adolescents in that age group regularly and explain the dangers as well as what the long-term fallout could be. Once something is sent online, restricting its reach cannot be guaranteed.
At the same time, parents must realise that actions speak louder than words also in a community context. The way people behave, dress, speak, dance and carry on plays a more important role than many may realise. After all, such a small country having about half a dozen brothels and several strip clubs that are openly advertised on billboards is not exactly a sign of high morals.
Realise too that keeping children in line by telling them “do as I say, not as I do” is a fallacy that doesn’t work in the end. What may, is to simply set the right example.
