Internet Safety Officials Urge Parents to Talk With Kids About Sexting and Online Risks

Internet Safety Officials Urge Parents to Talk With Kids About Sexting and Online Risks

By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISC News) – Published January 21, 2026

As kids and teens spend more time online than ever before, internet safety experts are urging parents to have honest, ongoing conversations about sexting and the real-world risks that can come with it.

Officials with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces say they are seeing a sharp rise in cases where minors are creating and sharing explicit images of themselves. In some instances, children as young as eight years old have been involved. Experts say the increase is tied to how much time young people now spend on phones, tablets, and social media platforms.

Today’s kids aren’t just scrolling — they’re creating content. That shift, experts say, makes communication between parents and children more important than ever.

Studies show that sexting is more common than many parents realize. Nearly 15 percent of teens say they have sent explicit images, while more than a quarter say they have received them. About one in ten admit to sharing those images with others without permission.

Safety advocates stress a simple but powerful truth: once an image is sent, it can never truly be taken back. Screenshots, forwarding, and saving can happen instantly, often without the sender’s knowledge. The consequences can follow a child for years and may include school discipline, removal from sports or activities, damaged friendships, and even legal trouble.

Experts recommend that parents start talking with their children as soon as they have access to any digital device, and continue those conversations as kids grow. The message should be clear and consistent: it’s not okay to ask for explicit images, it’s not okay to send them, and it’s not okay to share them. Pressuring someone to do so is a serious violation of trust and can be emotionally harmful.

Parents are also encouraged to help kids think ahead — what to say if they’re pressured, how to support friends who say no, and who to talk to if something goes wrong. Reporting incidents to a trusted adult or appropriate authorities can help prevent further harm.

Experts say open, judgment-free conversations — not fear or punishment — remain one of the most effective ways to keep kids safe online.

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