Does something being legal mean it is safe or healthy for my child?
Just because something is legal does not mean it is healthy, safe, or developmentally appropriate for your child. Laws are created through political and historical processes that do not always reflect the most up-to-date and best ways to keep children safe and healthy, and they are not individual to your child.
Why can teens legally consent to sex but not sexting?
The laws that determine the age of consent are from each state, but the laws about sending sexual pictures and videos of minors are more uniform because this can happen more easily across state lines. There are risks for sending sexual pictures and videos to anyone under the age of 18.
What happens if consent laws are different in different states?
The law applies to the state the sexual activity happens in, regardless of the state the individuals involved are residents of.
Can someone consent if they are drunk or high at a party?
In Connecticut, if someone is drunk or high, they can legally give consent as long as they are not drunk or high to the point of incapacitation. The standard for incapacitation in Connecticut is if someone cannot understand what they’re agreeing to or possible consequences of engaging in an activity. If someone is incapacitated, even […]
How do I tell a friend to stop without ruining the friendship?
One way you can make it easier is to start with a compliment or something positive: “I know you really care about me and…” “You always say the most supportive things, so maybe you didn’t realize X thing was hurtful…” Then you want to make sure you clearly set the boundary: “When you call me […]
What if everyone else thinks it’s funny, but I don’t?
Sometimes people have different experiences and that means they might find something funny, but someone else doesn’t. If you feel brave, you can speak up and say that you don’t think it’s funny and you can explain why it hurt you or might be hurtful to someone else. If it was something hurtful, you can […]
What information should my child keep private online?
What should I tell my child to do if someone asks them for pictures?
Your child should always know that they can come to you if someone asks them something they’re not sure about. They should come to you if anyone asks them for pictures, and unless it is a trusted person (a known, trusted method of communication with a real-life trusted person. For example: a text from grandma […]
Are pictures of certain body parts considered inappropriate, even if they seem harmless?
Any requests for pictures that are specific about the pose, body part, or clothing should be considered a red flag. Even if you do not recognize how it could be inappropriate, a specific request indicates that it is not harmless.
How can I tell if someone online is lying about who they are to my child?
You cannot. It is always safer to assume that anyone that your child is connected to solely online is unsafe. The only way to know if it is someone who is safe is if you know them in real life and have contact information to confirm who it is.