Why Sexting is the Dumbest Idea Ever

Dear Advice Girl,

I don't get what the big deal about sexting is. The teachers in my school are freaking out, but I feel like it's none of their business. What do you think?

Signed,
   Erika

Dear Erika,

For those of you who don't know, lemme explain what sexting is:

It's short for "sex texting" (get it?), and it means sending naked or mostly-naked photos to your boyfriend or crush or whoever.

Sexting has been in the news a lot lately because adults just found out that some teens are doing it. A couple teens have even been brought up on child pornography charges for sending or receiving sexy pics.

The charges are kind of weird and sad (girls spending the rest of their lives labeled as sex offenders for taking pics of their own bodies?), but still, sexting is just about the dumbest idea ever. Here's why:

• Everything you put online can be used by anyone for anything, and that goes for stuff you share on your phone, too. Before you post a pic, give it the "uncle test" - if you wouldn't show it to your uncle, don't post it.
  
  
• Your boyfriend will probably be your ex-boyfriend one day, and he might get revenge by sharing your pics with his friends. Heck, he might even share them while you're still dating him, just to show off. The point is, you can't know for sure, so don't risk it.
  
  
• You could be humiliated. Imagine everyone at your school passing around nude pics of you. Doesn't that sound like the worst nightmare ever? It's happened to lots of girls already!
  
  
• You could get in serious, permanent trouble. You could get suspended, kicked off of sports teams, arrested or even expelled.
  
  
• There are smarter ways out there to be sexy. Why not pick one that won't come back to haunt you?