Sue Scheff Parent Empowerment

Parenting resolutions are ones that you cannot afford to neglect or ignore after just a few weeks. Sexting One of the most hot and trending topics is "sexting." What is sexting? It's the act of sending explicit messages or photos electronically, mostly between mobile phones.

We don't need any more reminders of what sexting can cause emotionally to students. In Florida we were witness to the tragic story of cyber tragedy that resulted in the suicide of 13-year-old Hope Witsell.

Here are some tips and suggestions for parents to know and use today and in 2010. (Source: Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy):

You can limit the number of times your teen texts. We suggest setting a time that phones leave the pocket or out of the bedroom and put in a central location connected to a charger with your phone. Kids who are permitted to keep their cell phones in their bedrooms overnight on average get less sleep and are often times texting in the middle of the night. You can help your teenager sleep soundly by setting limits and limiting their access to phones.

Laptops must be removed from the bedroom of your child. While computers and the Internet offer great educational opportunities for teens and help them learn, they also provide access 24 hours a day to social media sites, instant messaging, and email when children are not present. Teens will be less likely to engage in inappropriate contacts via their computer in their bedroom and are more likely to inform parents about a disturbing or unusual message.

Make sure laptops and computers are in a shared area Research has shown that teens are less likely to engage in risky behaviors when they are connected to the internet in a common space or in an area where others are likely. This is even true if there is no one watching on their shoulders. The mere fact that you can glance at what is on the screen can make kids think twice before visiting inappropriate Internet sites or having conversations with people they might not have met. Your child will be more secure if the computer is kept in a safe area.

Know your child's username and password While some parents and the majority of children sigh at the thought of granting access to their social media page, email account or instant messaging, it is important. The fact that you have access to the information, despite the fact that you may never actually look, protects kids from making bad choices. In the unlikely event that your child is hurt or killed, you can access your child's online conversations and contacts immediately. In most cases, once police are given access to the online information, the missing child has been found or someone who's attempting to target your child has been identified. This information can produce amazing results even if it's only a little bit.

Talk to your child about cyberbullying: Today's bullies aren't the stereotypical "tough child" at school, but can often times be a physical small child or a straight "A" student. Cyberbullying can happen anytime due to the internet and cell phone use. Your home is no longer secure from cyberbullies. With 24-hour access to technology, bullying can continue no matter where the victim is. Talk to your child about bullying and being bullied. If you suspect that your child is being cyberbullied, you should contact law enforcement immediately. Sexting