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Sexting and Relationships

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP | GRADE 8

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Essential Question

What are the risks and potential

consequences of sexting?

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Learning Objectives

Compare the risks and benefits of self-disclosure in relationships.

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Identify the risks and potential consequences of sexting.

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Use the Feelings & Options thinking routine to consider how to respond in situations where sexting could occur.

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Self-disclosure

KEY VOCABULARY

Sharing private or personal thoughts and feelings with someone

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Sexting

KEY VOCABULARY

Digital sharing of intimate images or videos with another person

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  • Speak your truth.
  • Respect others' viewpoints.
  • Don't interrupt.
  • Disagree respectfully.

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Respectful Discussion Norms

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Discuss:

  • What did teens identify as some of the reasons why people sext?
  • What did they say were some of the risks?

WATCH + DISCUSS

To watch this video on the Common Sense Education site, click here.

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Red flag feeling

KEY VOCABULARY

When something happens on digital media that makes you feel uncomfortable, worried, sad, or anxious

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Feelings & Options

ANALYZE: RED FLAG FEELINGS

Identify. Who are the different people involved in the scenario? What dilemma or challenge are they facing?

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Feel. What do you think each person in the dilemma is feeling? Why might the situation be hard or challenging for each of them?

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Imagine. Imagine options for how the situation could be handled. Come up with as many ideas as possible: There's no one "right" answer! Then choose: Which option might lead to the most positive outcome, where most people feel good or taken care of?

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Say. Thinking more about the idea you chose for handling the situation, what could the people involved say?

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  • [Capture student responses here.]

Ways to Respond

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REFLECT: RED FLAGS

It is NEVER OK to:

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  • PRESSURE SOMEONE into doing something they're not comfortable with, like sexting.

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  • FEEL PRESSURED to sext by being harassed or even blackmailed. Block the contact, tell a trusted adult, and call your local law enforcement agency or the Crisis Text Line.

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  • SHARE OR FORWARD a sext that someone has sent to you. Your actions could embarrass, humiliate, and devastate someone.

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