What's happening to our girls and boys.

Hi IM's,
I'm a primary school teacher. This week I attended a professional development seminar about what's happening to our girls and boys. It was three hours of sitting there listening to a lady talk, after work... I was dreading it! But it turns out the stuff she was saying was really interesting and I didn't look at the clock once.
I can't possibly write everything she spoke about but a few things really resonated so I want to share.
* girls are sexting from the age of 8. They don't really know that's what it is. They are given devices with cameras and take photos of their body, for example their bum, and there have been cases where they send the photos to others (older brothers, cousins, friends etc). They think it's a funny game but as time goes on they up the ante.
When they're given these devices no one explicitly talks to them about what's appropriate or inappropriate. They're just given them...
Talk to your kids about appropriate device use.
* girls have a strong desire to have that feeling of belonging. They fear not having it so they will do anything to keep it. It's like belonging to a 'tribe.' They believe they can't say no and will give in to peer pressure easily.
Teach your kids different ways to say no. I know it sounds silly, but it's actually not. Teach them it's ok to say no. You also have to say no to them. Yea I know right? As long as you explain why. Many parents these days are trying to be 'friends' instead of 'parents.'
* boys are more likely to become addicted to screens in various forms. Boys are taught from an early age to keep their emotions locked up and so they find outlets. Boys as young as 8 are accessing porn. As with the girls they're given these devices... Screens are addictive and porn is also addictive.
Their 'outlet' needs to become more shocking to satisfy them so the porn that is being accessed is quite violent. (Apparently the length of a porn star 'career' is now around 3 months). Later in life when the boys have relationships they think that's how women should be treated... Girls want to belong and don't say no... See the cycle. Girls as young as 12 have had around 10 sex partners. The issue with boys accessing porn also leads to a new generation of abusers.
Seriously it was an eye opener. It was all backed up with studies and data. It's scary stuff! It used to be an issue for high school kids but now it's becoming an issue in primary school.
The issue of loss of community was also brought up. e.g. Kids on buses don't offer their seat to pregnant or elderly people because they're not taught general manners. Families aren't eating at the table and talking. They're losing touch.
Anyway. Enough ramble from me.