For many parents, the new world of social media and ever-changing technology is a scary place. While words like “tweet” and “sext” may seem foreign to us, they’re part of a language our teens and pre-teens fluently speak. Today’s generation of kids is constantly communicating, whether through Facebook, cell phones or other social media websites, and it’s up to parents to make sure they’re being safe about it. Repercussions of inappropriate online behaviors can be long lasting, so how can you protect your kids?

Michael Massey is program manager for Le Bonheur’s teen pregnancy prevention program Be Proud! Be Responsible! Memphis! He urges parents to talk to their kids about the topic of social media and “sexting” sooner rather than later.

“According to one survey of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 22 percent of girls and 18 percent of boys say they have electronically sent or posted nude or semi-nude images of themselves on the internet,” said Massey.

“Sexting” is the term used to refer to sending a text message with pictures of children or teens that are inappropriate, naked or engaged in sex acts. These pictures and messages aren’t private. Teens should be told that once you send a picture, you have no control over who views it.

“They can’t know if others might forward their pictures or messages to people they do not know or want to see them,” Massey adds.

School administrators and future employers often look at online profiles to make judgments about potential students or employees. And there are legal ramifications to “sexting,” too.  Some teens are facing child pornography charges for sending nude images to other teens.

“So talk sooner than later, monitoring daily, if not hourly, and help your kids understand the consequences and repercussions of being inappropriate online or via the cell phone,” says Massey.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also has some helpful recommendations for parents:
 •Learn about these technologies first hand. Make a profile for yourself and monitor your kid’s profile.
 •Let your kids know their use of technology is something you want and need to know about. Ask them daily: “Have you used the computer and Internet today?”
 •Keep the computer in a public part of your home, such as the family room or kitchen.
 •Talk with other parents about what their kids of similar ages are using for social media. Use that information as a starting point for discussion with your kids.
 •For all ages, emphasize that everything sent over the Internet or a cell phone can be shared with the entire world, so it is important they use good judgment in sending messages and pictures.
 •Have your kids and teens show you where the privacy features are for every social media venues they are using.
 •Consider using formal monitoring systems to track your child’s e-mail, chat and image content. Parental controls on your computer or from your Internet service provider are good options.
 •Set time limits for Internet and cell phone use.