But with the good, there is some bad, and we must be aware of the bad. Not to dwell on it, but to protect ourselves and our families. Specifically, our children need us to be actively involved in guiding them to make good choices.
A popular thing with youth today is sending pictures of themselves to others. That may be okay to some degree (though personally I believe that anyone who takes multiple pictures of themselves and posts them or sends them has a self image problem that needs to be addressed), but a new app called SnapChat that is popular among teens is one that is being used for "sexting". Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobil phones. It has been popular for quite some time and can be used on other social media, as well (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), but the difference with this app is that the picture is not stored on the sender's phone or the receivers phone. It disappears. So people can send the picture and not worry whether it will be saved and used in another way. Parents won't see it or even find out. Other kids won't see it, though the kids can tell about it. There's no proof that it was sent or received. It's a big problem in our world today.
Below is a link for a great article about this app, from a Christian perspective. Of course, just because someone has the app doesn't mean they are using it in the way mentioned. It's not the app itself that's bad. It's just being used in that way.
Take the time to look at the link, because it's more prevalent than you might think. Parents and grandparents - be aware! Something that may not seem like a big deal to some of our youth is actually a very big deal. Studies have shown that once a young person sees pornography type pictures - it will be etched in their minds for a long, long time....perhaps forever. This can (obviously) cause problems for the rest of a young person's - or older person's life. It can cause problems with careers. It can cause serious relationship problems. It can cause addictions that are not easily overcome. It's a really big deal. Don't brush it off.
http://www.radicallychristian.com/what-is-this-snapchat-app
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Romans 13:13-14
I've heard of it, too, and talked to my son about it. He thinks it's neat but didn't know it was being used in that way when I told him! Whatever good thing comes along Satan is ready to use it his way...
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