- Talk to young people about healthy relationships and the importance of not feeling pressured into doing things they don’t want to do – such as taking explicit pictures of themselves. There are numerous other ways of showing someone how much you care, which don’t imply pressuring one’s partner to engage in risky behaviours.
- Tell young people to talk to a trusted adult if they are being pressured or sexually harassed by anyone.
- Remind them that if they forward or post a sexually provocative picture they can be held legally responsible for their actions.
- Warn young people that there are people online who target adolescents to engage in sexual conversations.
- Talk to them about why adults having sex or forming romantic relationships with underage adolescents is wrong.
- Help them recognize grooming tactics – does an online friend seem too perfect?
- Make it clear to them that if he or she wishes to meet a virtual friend in person, it must be in the presence of a trusted adult.
- Younger adolescents should share their instant messaging or social networking passwords with their parents. Parent should only access their accounts in the event of a problem.
Resources for Parents
Resources for Teachers
Lesson Plan