7 Reasons The Before You Text Program Sucks

Before You Text is a sexting prevention educational program for Texas, which may be used in part or in its entirety. It aims to prevent sexting by minors by providing 7 modules that attempt to educate students on the definitions of sexting and related concepts, the legal, social, emotional, educational and career consequences of sexting, and the permanence of digital images. The modules are then followed by a comprehension test, and a certificate is awarded for answering 80% or more of the test questions correctly.

1. Choosing not to send a sext is seen as the 'right choice'

... So sending a sext is automatically always the wrong choice?

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2. This sexting prevention program can be required for minors AFTER they've been convicted of possessing and/or promoting sext(s)

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... and Texas schools are only required to "make information about this program available every year to both parents and students," which means this program may reach very few people.

3. The explanation of legal consequences are dry, exhaustive, and unclear

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...After reading nearly 500 words, I still have no idea what the difference between being charged as child and being charged as a minor who is not a child is.

4. People who forward sexts without consent is only seen as PART of the problem

...when they really CREATE the problem. Again, we should stop chastising all the Megans out there for sexting. The problem is the distribution of sexts without consent, not the sext itself.

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5. Scaring kids that they can't get jobs if they sext is a little extreme

...While copies of sexts could continue to exist despite your efforts to erase them, it is not the end of the world. The program should add that there are things that can be done to preempt or overcome these potential problems.

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6. The multiple choice test at the end is purely regurgitating information

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...We all hate them and they don't show if we've actually learned anything.

7. Most importantly, the program gives teen information but doesn't invite them to talk about their experiences

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...The program should include or be used with some sort of reflection and open discussion so that teens can evaluate sexting as it relates to them.

In conclusion

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...We encourage Texas teens to learn about the consequences of sexting, think about what is and is not comfortable to them sexually, and remember that consent is important in both spreading and receiving sexts!