Sexting: Knowing the Risks and Staying Safe

Cell phones have become an essential accessory for our generation. The explosion in technology has led to people incorporating it into their personal relationships—including “sexting” (shorthand for sexy-texting) which can be anything from a sexy text message to nude or semi-nude pictures. The allure of sexting is the belief that it’s discreet, convenient, and (supposedly) safe. And because you’re sending them to someone you know and trust, it’s easy to think that pushing SEND is harmless; if it doesn’t become physical, then you can’t get hurt, right?

As it turns out, sexting can be very dangerous because these messages can be saved forever, forwarded to strangers, and shown to other people without your consent. All it can take is one fight with your significant other who forwards your pictures to their entire contact list. At this point, you can do nothing to stop those messages from spreading or to stop them from being accompanied by your number, face, and an extra message to "Pass it on!"

Many things could happen to you at the center of a Sexting situation:

• If you are under 18, sending naked pictures of yourself can be considered producing and possessing child pornography (a felony that could land you in prison or permanently on the national sex offender list).
• You could become a victim of bullying and harassment from peers.
• You could also be blackmailed into giving out more compromising photos of yourself, an act referred to as Sextortion.

So the next time you get a risqué text or want to send one, think to yourself:

• Would I say these things to him/her in person? Am I ok with others knowing what I say or do?
• How would others react to what I’m doing? Could this text hurt me in the long run?

If you are being prompted to sext, the best thing to do is cut the conversation off, wait until you’re alone with that person and set some boundaries about what is appropriate for you.

Parents and providers can attend a FREE upcoming sexting workshop! Click here for more information.

…and for more information about sexting and sextortion, check out these links:

• A Thin Line
• MSNBC
• Connect Safely
  

What's the big deal about Twilight?

If you haven’t yet noticed that Twilight has become a worldwide phenomenon, you might be a little out of the loop. And if you haven’t yet been asked whether you’re for team Team Jacob or Team Edward, it’s probably only a matter of time.

So much controversy seems to surround this series, however, that blogs and opt-ed pieces like this, have popped up everywhere. While the films may seem fairly benign – just another show about teen angst wrapped in a modern day love triangle, filled with mythical creatures like vampires and werewolves - there may be more to its message. Is Bella the delicate damsel in distress, needing constant supervision and protection from the men in her life? Or is she the woman in charge, able to go after the man she wants, while deciding her own fate? There are so many theories floating around that it’s enough to boggle the mind. This is where Planned Parenthood of Delaware (PPDE) has stepped in to help parents and providers sort out these themes and find ways to help teens negotiate media messages.

As part of our Summer of Learning series, PPDE will be presenting our next workshop, Twilight, Teens and Vampires: The world of teen relationships through the pop culture lens on July 15th from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. This workshop will discuss some important themes of the movies, while examining messages teens are receiving about relationships from popular culture. Is there anything parents and other adults can do to combat unrealistic messages portrayed in media? How do these images and messages impact youth? In this workshop we will examine these questions and much more (while of course watching some favorite clips from the movies. For all of you fan-mothers out there, this might be quite enticing.)

To register, please email edudept@ppde.org

June is National HIV Testing Month

Have you been tested recently?

Well, now’s the time! Celebrate National Testing Month (and National Testing Day – June 27th ) by taking an HIV test! It may be passed the 27th but its not to late to get tested.

Did you know…

• Someone in the US is infected with HIV every 9 ½ minutes.
• By 2007, Delaware’s AIDS incidence rate was ranked 6th highest in the nation.
  

Don’t you think it’s worth it then, to take the time to have an HIV test? Early diagnosis is important in order to seek treatment and prevent the spread to others.

Planned Parenthood of Delaware offers rapid HIV testing which involves a small finger prick and a tiny drop of blood. You are able to get your test results within about 10 minutes. See, that doesn’t sound so bad…right? It’s quick, virtually painless, and can be such a relief knowing your results. At least you won’t still be questioning whether or not you could be infected. Your partners will thank you too.

To make an appointment for an HIV test please call 1.800.230.PLAN

And for more information about HIV Testing Day or to find events in your area, visit the CDC website.

Get Yourself Tested – for FREE!

April is Get Yourself Tested (GYT) month.

Did you know…?

• 50% of sexually active young people will contract an STI (sexually transmitted infection) by the time they reach age 25
• At least one out of four teen girls in the U.S. has an STI and many women who have an STI do not have any symptoms
• 19 million new STI cases are reported each year and 50% of these cases occur in young people between 15-24
• Less than half of adults 18-44 have ever been tested for an STI other than HIV/AIDS
• Human Papillomavirus is the most common STI in the US - over 5 million people are affected each year
  

During the month of April, come to any Planned Parenthood of Delaware medical center and receive a FREE test for HIV, Chlamydia & Gonorrhea. It is very important to be tested regularly if you or someone you know is sexually active.

Wilmington 655-7293
Newark 731-7801
Dover 678-5200
Rehoboth 645-2737

Offer only valid April 1 - 30, 2010.

Check out these fun STI videos:

Mission: Eliminate Chlamydia

What is Disordered Eating?

Do you ever find yourself constantly preoccupied with eating? Keeping obsessive track of your daily calorie intake? Weighing yourself every day? Hating yourself for "slipping up" or eating the occasional treat? Are these habits becoming more and more of an obsession?

These seemingly harmless health-conscious acts are often warning signs for the onset of eating disorders, which affect one in five American women. The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, characterized by self starvation and excessive weight loss, and bulimia nervosa, characterized by a cycle of binge eating and subsequent behaviors such as induced vomiting. These disorders are often about much more than food- they arise from physical, social, and emotional issues.

In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are struggling to cope or survive with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, both of which pose life threatening consequences. Millions more are affected by binge eating disorders.

Media messages and social obsession have a strong influence on the development of eating disorders in young girls. It is important to remember that there are a variety of healthy body types that are not often shown on TV and in the movies. Click here to see a range of healthy body sizes and shapes.

Having a positive body image is the first step to being able to maintain a happy and healthy life, free from disordered eating. While it is important to eat healthy and exercise, doing anything compulsively or in excess could lead to negative health consequences.

Check out these tips to develop and strengthen your body image:

1. Eat healthy and exercise regularly, but don’t punish yourself for eating the occasional treat or taking a day off to rest!

2. Don’t compare yourself to others- confidence is everything!

3. Surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good about yourself and who can provide you with support.

4. Write down a list of the things you like and admire about yourself- look at it frequently!

5. Involve yourself in activities that you enjoy- being happy personally and professionally will make you happier with yourself!

For more information on eating disorders check out Sex Etc.org, The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, and the National Eating Disorders Association.

Celebrate National Condom Week!

National Condom Week is February 14-21! To celebrate this year test your condom skills by playing The Condom Game brought to you by Sex, Etc.

…and pick up your FREE safer sex packet at your local Planned Parenthood of Delaware!

What is safer sex?

Safer sex involves protecting yourself from getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during sex play. Any sex play which involves skin-to-skin contact is not completely risk free, but there are ways to reduce those risks.
How can we practice safer sex?
• Understand and be honest about the risks we take.
• Keep our bodily fluids (blood, pre-cum, semen, vaginal fluid) out of each other's bodies.
• Always use male or female condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse.
• Always use condoms or other latex barriers for oral sex.
• Don't have sex play when we have a sore or outbreak caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Find ways to make safer sex as pleasurable as possible.
Why have safer sex?
• Because it reduces our risk of getting an STD
• Because it reduces anxiety and fear about getting or transmitting an STD
• Because it reduces our risk of unplanned pregnancy
• Because there are many other sexual activities to engage in besides intercourse that can be fun and intimate
• Because it can be very pleasurable and exciting
For more information check out Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Rise in Teen Pregnancy Rate…Again?!

Yes you heard it right. Not only has the teen pregnancy rate in the United States risen for the first time in over a decade, but it has now risen for the second consecutive year.

2005 saw the first increase in teen pregnancy rates after a 14 year decline and 2006 quickly followed suit.

Could it be that abstinence-only education has played a role in this rise?

With this current trend, it’s a wonder why some people still take an abstinence-only-until-marriage approach to sex education. How much more research must show how ineffective these programs actually are before people pay attention? Luckily, the President supports comprehensive sex education which means more money going toward programs which are evidence-based.

Planned Parenthood of Delaware believes strongly in the importance of comprehensive sex ed and offers a variety of educational programs to the community. To view our list of services or to schedule a workshop, click here.

And to read more about teen pregnancy in the U.S., check out this Washington Post article.