Re: “Mom pulls daughter from suburban Denver high school over nude photo blackmail,” Dec. 20 news story.
Nearly all adolescents today have access to smartphones, and with new social media apps coming out daily, itap often hard for parents to keep up. Social media is ever-evolving such that ground rules for these cyber exchanges have not been established. Too often, social media apps land teens in dangerous and compromising scenarios. As pediatricians, we address these situations all too often. Teens are impressionable and impulsive and need guidance in how to navigate this territory. And though social media isn’t a world where parents are often welcome, it is critical for parents to talk with their children about the apps they are using and how to protect themselves. Teens need to know that regardless of what they share and which app they’re using, photos and messages may reach a larger audience than they anticipate. Parents, please have this important, though difficult, conversation with your teens.
Lindsey Haack, M.D., Denver
Liz Ackley, M.D., Denver
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