#AirdropSafetyGuide via AirDrop: Parent's Guide

Our children are growing up in a digital world, and while technology is a wonderful tool for learning and connecting with others, it carries its own risks. One concerning trend that has recently emerged is "cyber flashing" - the sharing of explicit images via Bluetooth or AirDrop without consent. This growing trend is not uncommon. A recent study estimates that 76% of girls aged 12 to 18 have been exposed to nude images of boys or men.

Understanding Cyber Flashing

Cyber flashing involves sending explicit images or content to someone, often via Bluetooth or AirDrop, without their consent. Unlike other forms of online harassment or bullying, AirDrop allows the sender to send their content directly to nearby devices, often without any action required from the recipient.

Imagine your child innocently using their iPhone or iPad in a public place like a library or shopping mall. Their AirDrop settings are set to "everyone" or "contacts only" to share files with friends or family. Or perhaps they don’t even know that AirDrop is activated on their device. If there is someone with malicious intent nearby, they can send explicit images or inappropriate content to your child's device without needing their phone number or personal information.

The concerning thing is that these images may appear on the screen before the transfer is accepted. E.