Teen daughters actions

[TheAmazingGrace]

However you choose to handle it, just avoid the ‘throwing it in her face’ strategy that many parents take. Trust her, believe her and IN her…

This is very good advice.

 

[Lou2U]

Make sure she knows that although you’re angry and disappointed, you love her and she can talk to you about anything. Explain to her why she can’t sneak people in, and fully go through the legal consequences of sending pictures to others. I know some disagree with the law here, but as long as it is law, she needs to understand it. I’m not sure what country you’re in, but in the UK what she’s done would be an offense because she’s sending sexual images of a child, and also because she’s sending them to a child. Also explain to her what that means for the boy - he could have been in serious trouble for keeping the picture, as it’s legally a sexual image of a child (I’m presuming he’s deleted it? This is another problem - once she’s sent it, she can’t control it any further).

Above all else, just give her time. As others have said, don’t keep bringing it up. She’s still the daughter you know and love, and she made a mistake. Just gently remind her that what she’s feeling will ease up.

 

[Xantippe]

I read that book when I was around 17 (along with basically everything else JE ever wrote). Now I’m approaching 23, and I’ve found that it really hasn’t held up.

Could you explain in more detail?

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

Could you explain in more detail?

He says a lot of things that rub me the wrong way, but the main one is the idea that sexual purity guarantees good romantic relationships and strong marriages, and that unmarried sex-havers are all miserable. It’s really not that simple.

 

[Cruciferi]

I would not advise notifying the authorities about this. As others have said it could be construed as child porn which is ridiculous IMO but that’s what the laws say. And yes, the underage person who posted a photo or received such a photo could be convicted of possessing child porn.

Perhaps the OP should consult a lawyer?

 

[marylg]

I’m not a parent, but I was wondering: did you ask her if something else might be going on? I think most make similar mistakes as teenagers/young adults. If it seems too out of character, however, it never hurts to ask. I know for myself (and others I have known) that when I behaved similarly I was not doing very well internally. I’m a bit of a perfectionist so no one expected it, but when I acted out like this I was trying to cover up negative feelings I was experiencing at the time with a lot of depression and anxiety. AGAIN: this is just a thought and I am in no way implying this must be going on. Just wanted to share my experience for some insight. In fact, we are all fallen and most likely that is the only reason for this mistake.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I second this. This is probably the only way to have certainty of any potential consequences in your jurisdiction. It will also mitigate accusations that a parent was negligent.

 

[SuperLuigi]

The laws against child porn will put a child on a sex offender registry for life, in many places, and may put a child in jail. Do you think that’s what a child deserves for sexting? Would you also put a child in jail for showing a friend their genitals in person?

Nothing more than virtue-signaling and a waste of state resources.