The advancement of high-tech has produced a new low. The term “ setting” is a combination of the words sex and testing, and is the practice of sending sexually explicit photos electronically by cell phone. Over the past few years, setting has become more common and almost “ fashionable” among teen-eager. Many teens are under the impression that this is harmless and no one gets hurt. It is dangerous and destructive behavior, often leading to unwanted circumstances. Once you send that text, it is no longer private.
Control of where that picture may land is out of your hands. Having a teen-eager with a smart phone, I chose this subject. He and I have had discussion regarding the consequences that this can bring about and we are in agreement. Although my son feels setting is “ stupid” and realizes it is dangerous, he knows classmates who do this. Man of them talk openly about it and consider it amusing. Furthermore, according to a 2008 study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Unplanned Pregnancy, 20 percent of teens admitted to sending sexually explicit text messages.
Whether that figure is accurate is open to opinion. Many teens, when asked, may be too embarrassed to admit to the practice. Although many teens are doing this, they don’t fully understand the magnitude of this craze. Many teens feel that new technology is great: it offers them a whole new way to communicate with one another that our generation never had. In addition, problems arising from this can be quite severe and many issues can result from this. Humiliation and legal problems are Just the tip of the iceberg. Teens like to think they an trust their friends and boy/girl friends, but can they really?
Forever is a lengthy time to trust someone with photos of that nature. That compromising picture you send today may end up in the wrong hands months down the road. Your picture can be broadcast to anyone, anytime. Following this further, some young people, believing that setting was innocent have ended up having their lives devastated. In 2009, Jesse Logan, a teen eager from Ohio, was callously humiliated after pictures that she sent her boyfriend ended up in the hands of her classmates. She committed suicide. Unquestionably, setting can lead to severe problems with the police and court system.
Disseminating child pornography can lead to court convictions. Once on your permanent record, you are now a registered sex offender. Most colleges will reject you, you can never live within a close proximity to any schools and you can’t find gainfully employment, to name Just o few of your problems. In particular, Phillip Albert, an 18 year old from Florida was convicted of such charges. His girlfriend was a minor and he found himself guilty of child pornography. Nobody denies that teens event finished maturing, and as a result, many young people don’t realize the long- term effects of their actions.
To them, it may seem harmless and fun, but many times teens don’t stop to think twice before hitting that “ send” button. Once it’s sent, there’s no way to undo it. Hence, my opinion is that parent’s need to open up the lines of communication wilt e RCA learn, startling as early as elementary cocoons. So many parent’s choose to leave the “ sex talk” to the schools. Schools do not address this particular problem. Teens will do what they want behind closed doors, but ultimately, he only way to help the situation is to have both school and parent’s alike involved.
Lastly, I was extremely surprised by the figures in the article. Honestly, I would have thought the incidence of setting was higher than 20 percent among teens. As far as this mom is concerned, communication is open and I trust my son and his group of friends. Some may call it naive, but I truly believe my sons faith guides him in the right direction.
