During a game this week, your child used sexually aggressive comments.
Tips for conversation (11-14)
1. Explain to your child that you were notified about some of their comments during the game being sexual (or sexually aggressive). While they may be too embarrassed to talk with you about it, it’s still a good chance for you to share your views on this kind of language.
2. Explain that you know this is a time when kids start to use more sexualized language, but that it’s important to be careful not to offend or intimidate others.
3. Clearly state that sexually aggressive language is unacceptable because it can be frightening and offensive to others. That language is one of the ways that people try to have power over others; let your child know that even if that wasn’t their intent, that can be the impact. They may get banned from the game, but more importantly they should think of how they could be making another person feel and avoid that language.
4. If your tween or teen genuinely did not intend to offend anyone and were teasing or joking, you can explain that they should avoid sexual words (both while gaming and in person), since they can be offensive to others. Help your child understand that things don’t always come across the way we intend them to online, and so we have to be extra careful with our words.
Written by: Kidas Experts