The Hidden Danger of Stealthing: What Parents Should Know
Stealthing is a slang term that refers to the non-consensual act of secretly removing one’s condom during sexual intercourse. This act is seen as a form of sexual assault because it involves deception and a violation of consent, as it exposes the sexual partner to the risks of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy without their knowledge or agreement. Despite its casual-sounding nature, it carries serious ethical, health, and legal implications, and is therefore severely condemned.
Examples
- Person A: Did you hear about what happened with Sam last night?
- Person B: No, what happened?
- Person A: Apparently, he was texting a girl and used stealthing. He didn't show his real identity.
- Person B: Wow, that's not cool. It's important to be genuine and honest.
- Hey, have you seen Emily today?
- Yeah, she was in class, why?
- I messaged her about the project but she hasn't replied.
- Maybe she just hasn't read it. She might be busy.
- No, it's that Stealthing thing we talked about. I can see she's read it because the ticks turned blue, but she's ignoring me.
- Oh, that's not cool, she should at least acknowledge the message.
- John: Hey Amy, did you get my message about the group project?
- Amy: No, I haven't seen anything from you.
- John: But I sent it yesterday!
- Amy: Oh wait, I see it now. You sent it under a different thread in the group chat. Why didn't you use the main one?
- John: Well, I didn't want to disrupt the flow of the main conversation so I decided to stealth message you.
Previous
Next
How to Talk with Children about Stealthing
- Firstly, approach the conversation with openness and respect. Let your teen know that the term ‘Stealthing’ is indeed a ‘slang in texting,’ but it refers to a very serious violation of consent during sex.
- Explain that it is important to discuss such slang terms in order to understand sexual consent and boundaries. Say that removing a condom during sex without the partner knowing or agreeing is not just unethical, but can lead to severe consequences like unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Encourage them to communicate explicitly with their partners about their expectations and boundaries. Consensus between partners is crucial for a healthy relationship.
- Lastly, tell them that if they ever find themselves in a situation where they feel their consent has been violated, they should not hesitate to seek help. It is essential to make sure they understand that their rights should always be respected, regardless of the situation.
Summary
In conclusion, stealthing is a dangerous act that violates trust and consent, carrying significant health and legal consequences. It’s crucial for parents to understand this and other teen slang terms to better guide and safeguard their children. Parents, take time today to learn teen language and openly communicate with your children about sexual consent and online conduct.
Test How Well You Understand Teen Slang
What to do if you recognize your child's dangerous slang
Keyword alert is a feature in parental control apps designed to notify parents or guardians when specific words or phrases are detected in their child's online activity.
When triggered, the parental control app sends an alert to the parent's device, allowing them to promptly address any potential issues and ensure their child's online safety and well-being. We recommend adding slang related to drugs and sext to your keywords alert.
