You will begin receiving texts from a “Gateway Discussion” course created by Upward Reach Foundation. This course Gateway Discussion About Inappropriate Sexual Content  uses everyday sexual messages to teach your child about “Inappropriate” sexual content. This course is one of several Foundation Gateway Discussions.

This course is NOT about “the birds and the bees,” pornography or any sexually explicit topics. This course is about what to do when you and your child encounter everyday sexual messages.

Upward Reach Foundation

Upward Reach Foundation is a private non-profit foundation with a mission to prevent underage viewing of pornographyWe have gathered together prevention specialists, pornography researchers, and professional curricula writers to create the first evidenced-based “Pornography Prevention Program.” This prevention curriculum is free and delivered through a series of automated educational texts and occasional ringless voice messages. A parent can opt-out at any time by simply replying:  STOP  Message and data rates may apply.

Importance Of Gateway Discussions

It’s important that you as a parent become comfortable talking to your child about their everyday encounters with sexual messages. This gateway discussion prepares the way for later more in-depth sexual conversations with your child. Prevention research has identified a parent’s comfort in talking to their child about a sexual topic is essential for later in-depth sexual conversations and successful pornography prevention. 

Simply stated, most parents are uncomfortable in discussing everyday sexual messages their children encounter – Sexual messages like Victoria’s Secret tv ads; Britney Spears’ “Toxic” music video;  Erectile Dysfunction billboards;  and the list goes on-and-on.  A parent who struggles to acknowledge the hundreds of sexual messages encountered everyday will have difficulty in talking about more in-depth conversations of good-and-bad touch, maturation, STD’s, pornography, etc.

Discussions about everyday sexual messages are gateway conversations for all other sexual discussions! 

Course Outline

This course follows three simple steps to help you and your child have a discussion about inappropriate everyday sexual messages.  These steps are:

Step 1: Identify and Share Name and Definition of Inappropriate Sexual Content

Objectives: We classify various sexual content into three types: appropriate, inappropriate, and unacceptable. This course helps parents decide on a name and definition of “inappropriate” sexual content by using everyday sexual messages. Parents share the name and definition with their child. Parents are given an option to use a name and definition separate from the one recommended.

Step 2: Identify and Share Avoidance Skill for Inappropriate Sexual Content

Objectives: The behaviors you want your child to do when they encounter inappropriate (and unacceptable) sexual content are called “avoidance skills.” This course helps parents decide on an avoidance skill to use for inappropriate sexual content. Parents share the avoidance skill with their child.

Step 3: Practice the Skill and Praise Your Child

Objectives: Using “Anywhere-Anytime” learning and everyday sexual messages parents are guided in creating an opportunity for their child to practice the avoidance skill.  In addition, parents are reminded to praise their child for their effort in learning and practicing the avoidance skill.

Overview

It takes about six weeks to complete the “Gateway Discussion About Inappropriate Sexual Content” course.  During this time, parents will receive about 40 texts and two ringless voice messages. These educational texts are received at a rather quick pace. In order to keep current, we recommend you select one child to complete the ACTION exercises with you. If you have more than one child, you may complete the course again, with another child in mind. 

Throughout the campaign, parents are encouraged to act in real-time in an “anytime-anywhere” learning environment, rather than scheduled family meetings. A parent is assigned various learning tasks and actions with their child.  Children of all ages will benefit.

In addition, faith-based texts are optional and automated. The default campaign is based on prevention science. Parents are encouraged to reply to the curriculum’s texts. Throughout this course, a Foundation Prevention Specialist is made available to you via texting. This type of learning has proven to be successful with busy parents. Your assigned Prevention Specialist will also be giving you a brief call at the end to obtain your personal feedback regarding the course. 

 

Mother’s Testimonial

I learned so much from this course! I have several children, one 13-year-old boy, Jeremy. I knew I had to start a conversation about sex with him but I had no clue how to do that. As I went through this course I learned how to use everyday sexual messaging to start that conversation. I have to admit I was very nervous using the correct names of the private parts. But it worked! I can’t believe it- I was driving him to basketball practice the other day and he pointed at a breast enlargement billboard and he said “That’s inappropriate. I can see most of her breasts.” Then he told me what he used for his distraction. I can’t thank you enough.–Julie

Disclaimer

This is an educational curriculum provided by the Upward Reach Foundation. Although several professional healthcare providers and educators are part of this effort, they are not providing medical or psychological services through this curriculum. If you have any questions about any personal medical or psychological concern, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Our texting services include an interactive feature that allow you to communicate with our Prevention Specialist via texts. Any assistance you may receive through this feature is likely incomplete and should not be solely relied upon. We are not constantly available and at times we are not available at all. However, we typically respond within 48 hours. If you have an emergency you will need contact your local authorities.  

The information in our pornography prevention curriculum is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Although our curriculum is based on research that has successfully prevented alcohol use and other disruptive youth behaviors, this prevention strategy has not yet been proven to prevent pornography use. As noted, this is an educational pornography prevention curriculum and is not meant for those with a pornography problem or addiction. For additional Privacy Information @: https://www.upwardreach.org/privacy-policy/.