What makes sexting seem like a good idea?
• One Generation X’s perspective
As I continue to research sexting there’s a question that keeps coming to mind: “what would make this seem like a good idea?”
Fortunately, I’m old enough that I understand what “the future” looks like and young enough to remember feeling as if I’d never make it there. Do you remember when your parents told you “these are the best years of your life”? (And if you’re like me you remember rolling your eyes and thinking “yeah right!”)
What is going through the mind of someone sexting? Do they want to fit in? Is it a need to be please their significant other? Do they consider the long-term consequences of what they are doing? I’m not going to pretend to have the answers, other than to imagine it’s probably more than a few things (or better said, a lack of things) going through their minds. Referencing my own teens again, I’m not so sure much of anything goes through their minds sometimes.
This generation has access to technology that I never dreamed would exist. Would I have handled myself any differently than the kids in the headlines today? I can only hope so, but I will tell you I am grateful that I did not have to make that decision. I would not want to go back and relive my teen years with the added choices presented to our youth today.