To most teens, “sexting” is a normal way to interact with their peers. Most parents have no idea how prevalent it is and how to talk to them about it. I will give you the real talking points to have a difficult but important discussion with your teenager.

Rachel’s finger nervously hovered over the send button. She stared down at the picture she took for Jeremy, her first real boyfriend, debating if she should send it. In the 6th grade, it seemed like all the popular girls were “hooking up” with boys. Rachel was trying to fit in, and Jeremy was so cute. All of her friends said she was lucky to be “going with him.” The night after they officially declared they were dating, Jeremy sent a text. “Send me a picture of you [winking face emoji].” Rachel replied, “What kind of picture?” Jeremy said, “In your underwear … Just for us [heart emoji].”  Rachel knew of three other girls who had sent “nudes” to their boyfriends and even boasted about it later. She thought It’s not such a big deal, right? Rachel took off her shirt, stood in front of the mirror, and took a picture just for Jeremy. Her finger hovered over the send button an extra moment until she told herself, don’t be such a baby. She pressed her thumb down on the send button, a decision she could never take back.

I wish Rachel’s story were unique. It is not. I have sat across the table from too many Rachels and their male equivalents. Boys are just as likely to sext as girls, and they are just as likely to be damaged by it.

What is “Sexting?”

Sexting is the electronic exchange of sexually suggestive or explicit content in messages, photographs, or videos, between at least two people.

To most teens, “sexting” is a norma ...