I was watching Sponge Bob with my 7 year old last night and during a commercial, a Public Service Announcement came on.  It had some teenage boy dressed up as a cell phone and it was about teen dating.  The boy was sending the girl text messages non-stop and they show him as the cell phone and he is saying what he is texting her.  It was ok until the last text he sent, which again, he is saying out loud while dressed as a cell phone: “Nude pics….send me some”.

Now, I get what the message is.  Kids go through this more and more these days….there is a ton of pressure I’m sure.  How many times have you heard over the past year about “sexting” and the Police having to go into schools to investigate these incidents.  I have no problem with the PSA, BUT, I do think 7pm during Sponge Bob is NOT where it should be shown.

Sponge Bob (even though many adults watch it) is for kids I would guess between 3-10?  It’s on Nickelodeon! I do not know of many kids in that age range who have a cell phone (even though I read a post on Facebook recently from a high school classmate who was amazed to see 7 year olds talking on cell phones in Nebraska…which I think was fake because since when did Nebraska get cell phone service, but I digress).  And how many of them are even in a relationship where the boy is asking them to take nude pictures to text over?  My 7 year old has a “boyfriend”….but they maybe say hi once per day at school, she doesn’t know where he lives and if I am correct they will be over each other in 2 days because her other friend likes him and she now likes someone else.  The drama that comes in 2nd grade!

I think this PSA should have been put on a channel or during a commercial break of a show that teenagers watch, not little kids.  The PSA shown is compelling in the fact that the kid is dressed up like a cell phone and is sure to draw kids in to watch it as they find it amusing.  But in the end, I do not want her asking me what “sending a nude picture is”!  I do not need that to be in her mind as even a thought!  She should be thinking about what crayon to use for her drawing or how she can’t wait to go to girl scouts!

Kids these days are exposed to a lot at an early age.  No matter how much we try to protect them and let them just be kids, something always seems to find it’s way through when you least expect it.  I just didn’t expect it to be on Nickelodeon and about sending nude pics!

I would love to know what you think. Am I over reacting?  Would you be comfortable with your little one seeing this?  Feel free to post your comments below…just remember to fill out the “captcha” thing below where you put your comments so it can be posted.

Here is the PSA if you haven’t seen it.