Youth ministries have historically instated rules about PDA (Public Displays of Affection), but now they may need to worry about CDN – Cellular Displays of Nudity.

Some teens are now using their cell phones to flirt and send nude pictures of themselves.  It’s the “new wink” of flirting.

High School teachers and the FBI alike are expressing concern over the lack of discrepancy teenagers are using with their cell phone and internet technology. Often, a text message containing a nude photo sent to one person ends up being forwarded to friends and spreading quickly, even making their way to the internet, exposing the original sender to the world.

Some teens and researchers note this as part of a larger trend regarding the openness and aggressiveness of today’s teenagers – especially girls.

“A study last year found teens are placing more of an emphasis on image and fame than in the past. Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University who studies young people's trends, found that teens are more confident and assertive than ever before.”

Twenge notes that teens using the same lack of judgment that they have always used, but that technology has expanded their possibilities in ways that have never been seen before.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

Does this news come to a shock to you, or are you not surprised by this trend?  How do you suggest that youth ministers equip students to navigate this world of increased possibilities well?  Where do you think the line needs to be drawn in youth ministries between open talk about sexuality and oppressive restrictions that send the students into hiding what they are doing?

FULL CBS ARTICLE

Youth Culture Update online is an article summary compiled by Damien O’Farrell