Dangerous Texting--- the very term incites a mixture of emotions that range from intrigue all the way to shying away from anything that may be associated with the term.

Believe it or not, sending texts with inappropriate material has become a national problem. It puts young people at risk for exploitation, embarrassment, and even felony charges. But what exactly is inappropriate in texting and how can it be prevented? Read on to find out more about this intriguing, yet dangerous new trend growing amongst today’s youth.

First thing’s first…What is Dangerous Texting? It is when young people, and even adults, send provocative images and messages to others through mobile devices or even computers. It is a trend that is on the rise.

A case where this has gone completely awry was in the summer of 2008 where a young girl named Jessica Logan committed suicide after her ex- boyfriend forwarded obscene pictures she had sent him to hundreds of students at their local high school.

You see…This is why sending the wrong things through text messages is such a big deal. It is damaging not only to your reputation, but it is also damaging to your own self-esteem.

Next, why are teenagers doing this? Peer pressure and low self-esteem are just a few of the factors that are at play when someone is doing these things. But the main factors that go into it concern people trying to flirt, be funny, hurt other people or even to try to gain recognition.

Knowing the risks of sending provocative images and messages is very important. Young people should know that sending provocative photos of themselves to other people is not only inappropriate, but it can lead to dangerous consequences.

Placing pictures on the internet that are obscene or even sending them to other people is very dangerous. You could become convicted of a crime and be labeled as an offender for simply taking and sending these pictures.

This can hinder your chances of getting many types of jobs.

In order to truly avoid sending provocative images, try taking these measures into consideration.

• If someone sends you an inappropriate photo, make the choice to delete it and not send it on to someone else.
• Know the risks of this issue.
• If you are a parent, use open and honest communication about healthy relationships with your teen.
• Emphasize technological responsibility.