How to Talk to Your Teens About Sex Trafficking.
Sex trafficking is a frightening concept. Many parents think of it as something that only happens to teens in far-off foreign countries, but it’s a reality that affects kids in the United States. According to data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, at least 100,000 underage Americans are being exploited and forced into prostitution every day.
Where are predators finding these children? They’re often masquerading as teens and luring the children via social media sites like Instagram.
Teen Issues with Sex Trafficking: Helping Your Kids See the Frightening Truth
Talking to your kids about sex can be awkward, so it makes sense that having a conversation about sex trafficking isn’t high on your list of desired activities. It is, however, a very important priority. In this day and age, social media is so commonplace that it’s considered borderline unacceptable to block your children from using it. Sites like Instagram and Snapchat are how teens socialize. That means it’s very important to ensure that proper rules and boundaries are in place.
1. Discuss Online Safety
One of the most important facts that you need your children to understand is that they can’t trust everyone they meet online. The MTV show “Catfish” has helped spread this message to some degree. If possible, consider watching a few episodes with your teens and using the situations on the show as a launching point to discuss online dangers.
2. Be Honest
Trafficking isn’t an easy thing to discuss, but sometimes, being straightforward and blunt is the best way to get the message across to your kids. When dealing with younger children, keep the conversation focused on “stranger danger” and how to avoid scary situations. When talking to older teens, be more straightforward. Get into the details of what trafficking actually is and why it’s being done.
3. Support Strong Self Esteem
When kids have strong self esteem, they’ll be less likely to respond to the lure of a predator. Make sure your daughter knows that she’s worth much more than her sex appeal. She doesn’t have to respond to every boy who compliments her online. She owes them nothing.
