New Facebook sex game popular among teens - AmericaNowNews.com

Kids playing sex games online

It's a dangerous new game on Facebook: "Smash or Pass," and it's gaining popularity among young teens.

Here is how it works: Teens upload pictures of themselves so other users can say if they would either "smash," which means to hook up sexually with someone, or "pass," as in no thanks.

But it's hardly a game, according to Theresa Payton, a cyber security expert.

"This is not a game," said Payton. "This is not funny. This is not right. I mean it's sexploitation."

The trouble, she said, is it's not just other teens who could be viewing your child's picture.

"Predators go where the kids are," Payton pointed out. "So they're out there playing 'the game' using false identities."

So who knows where their picture might end up? It's why Payton says parents must know what their child is doing online at all times.

"Type in the search box, 'smash or pass,'" she said. "I guarantee you'll be appalled. Check it out yourself."

It's the same message from Tshaka Armstrong, co-founder of California-based Digital Shepherds, an organization dedicated to keeping parents informed in this digital age.

He says that parents need to "understand the culture. Understand what is going on online and understand that you're children are connecting with other children in the way that you're not used to."

A father himself, Armstrong has made it his mission to make sure parents know about online dangers, especially a game like Smash or Pass.

"The most important piece of software that we can develop is the one between our children's ears," he implored. "It begins at home. It begins offline with the relationship between a parent and a child."

Payton also said Facebook can't keep up with every X-rated game on its site and since "Smash or Pass" groups pop up faster then they can shut them down, chances are your child could come across one.

"When it comes to the laptops, when it comes to the computer, it's in the family room," Payton suggested. "The pictures of them are either in their bedroom, in the bathroom doing a self portrait -- you can see them in the mirror-- and no parents are around."

Copyright 2011 America Now. All rights reserved.

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