GN Commentary: February 9, 2009 - Texting, Sexting and the Right Thing

Don't let your family and don't you be taken in by the decaying values of society. Do something about it.

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Video Transcript

Does anything shock you anymore? How about sexting?  Sexting is the sending of nude or semi-nude pictures or video through text messages. So it's not just texting—it's sexting.

A recent survey commissioned by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com is the first public study of its kind to measure the proportion of teens and young adults, ages 13-26, that are sending or posting sexually suggestive text and images.

For many, it's definitely not shocking; in fact it's not even unusual—especially for high schoolers around the country.  Here's why.

How many teens do you think say they have electronically sent, or posted online, naked or nearly naked images of themselves?  About 20 percent—that's 1 out of every 5 teens.  Believe it or not even more young adults have - 33%!

Even if teens haven't done it themselves, they know others who have. Do you know how many teens have received them?  48%—almost 1/2 !  64% of young adults have.

There is a cost.

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Sexting undoubtedly has a big price tag.  Our attitude of compromise toward sexual morality is even more dangerous than our financial difficulties.

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The way to avoid the awful consequence is to follow what the Bible says.  Now wait—It's not out-dated; It's a practical book for today, that helps you learn how to live a successful, satisfying life. It tells you plain and simple :  "Flee from sexual immorality" 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

So don't let your family and don't you be taken in by the decaying values of society.  Do something about it.  Something sensible. Check out the text of your Bible and it will give you the words of life.

For GN Magazine, I'm Steve Myers.