The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is encouraging parents to have conversations with their children not only about the dangers of inappropriate cell phone use, but also about what happens when a teenager makes a serious mistake and needs help.
Public Information Officer Mark Pierce said the Sheriff’s Office has recently encountered too many situations involving teenagers, cell phones, inappropriate images and decisions that can quickly spiral beyond a young person’s control.
Parents frequently warn children not to send inappropriate photographs, share images of others, communicate with strangers online or post something they may later regret. Pierce said another important conversation is making sure children know how their parents will respond if they do make one of those mistakes.
A photograph or message can be captured in a screenshot within seconds, shared beyond its intended recipient and become a source of embarrassment or ridicule among classmates. The emotional consequences can leave a young person feeling ashamed, isolated or hopeless.
Pierce emphasized that while young people need to understand that their choices have consequences, they should also know that seeking help from a parent is safer than attempting to hide a serious problem.
“When it comes to mistakes such as these, the way you react could be the difference between a correction of behavior and planning a funeral,” Pierce wrote. “That’s a difficult sentence to read, but it’s an important one to consider.”
The Sheriff’s Office encouraged parents to discuss their response before a problem occurs. While disappointment, discipline and consequences may follow a poor decision, children should understand that they will also receive help and support from their families.
“Correct them. Discipline them. Teach them. Hold them accountable,” Pierce wrote. “But make absolutely certain they know where to run when the world suddenly feels too big for them.”
The message comes as law enforcement agencies continue addressing concerns involving teenagers, inappropriate digital images and the ease with which content can be copied and distributed through cell phones and social media.
Pierce said creating an environment where children know they can approach their parents when something goes wrong can serve as an important safeguard.
“At the end of the day, the most secure safety setting is a child that knows they can talk to you about anything,” Pierce said.