Help! My 8 year old sister actually.........I can't believe it please advice anyone?!?!?

Question

OMG OMG OMG. I just found out my sister, who's only in grade 3 ((8 years old)) searched in "google images" the following:

nakid
naked
naked girls
girls with no clothes on

and stuff like that. I was so worried I thought this might be a mistake. But when I asked her, she said: "yeah oh my gosh there were girl's boobs and stuff ew!"
well if it was ew then y did she watch it?! and she said sorry, which I was kind of surprised because she never ever obeys me or says sorry....so does this mean she's not going to do it again?! well i told her not to or else ill tell mom or dad, but Im still panicked..i dunno y! plz plz plz help me...what should i do? i would appreciate advice..thnx!

Im 14 years old, for those who are wondering...

oh and my parents are going through a divorce.... :(

Answer 1

Dana...Take a deep breath. OK, now take another one.

What your sister has done is not going to kill her, or you. It's not illegal and she won't get a disease from it. It is, however, perfectly normal.

We react to people looking at Internet images of "nakid" people and "girl's boobs" and things like that because of the reputation the Internet has for having some really nasty stuff on it.

Years ago, before there was an Internet with easy access to hard-core porn, girls and boys this age satisfied their perfectly normal curiosities about their bodies and their sexuality by sneaking peeks at "innocent" magazines (like Cosmopolitan, and even National Geographic!), or rummaging through their parents' bedrooms when they weren't around and finding a goldmine of less innocent publications that were not very carefully hidden.

The other thing we often did was to sneak peeks at each others' actual bodies, both same sex and opposite sex. This is normal, natural and healthy curiosity. It's also natural for a child to react exactly as your sister did when she first sees these things.

It's hard to tell whether your sister will do it again just because you told her not to. Sooner or later -- probably sooner -- her curiosity about these things will diminish and be replaced by fascination with other subjects.

I think you were right to tell her that you will report this to mom and dad if she does it again, not because it is wrong of her to do this, but because she is at an age where a conversation with mom and dad about this "stuff" may be a good idea. Use your maturity to help redirect her attention. Be kind to her. Her curiosity is her "job." Without it, she cannot possibly learn.

Answer 2

She's just at an age where she is curious about her body. Calm down, it's okay. Instead of being upset with her, maybe you should try to find out what's going on in her head. Ask her what she is curious about. Maybe you could give her the answers she is looking for, then she won't feel the need to google those things. There is a reason for this behavior. It may even be something that a grown up 'needs' to know about. So, take a deep breath, collect your thoughts, and try to talk to her calmly. Chances are, she'll be more comfortable talking to you if there is some sort of problem, then to talk to mom or dad about it.

Answer 3

Stop the panic! She is curious and believe it or not it is natural for children both girls and boys to have a certain amount of curious nature to them. Rather then freaking out, it sounds like you and she can talk (not knowing your age) but maybe you could sit down with her and talk with her. Being the older sister, you are a role model to her in her eyes ask her about what it might have been that she was wanting to know or see? I'm sure that you'll find she was more curious about the development of her own body and wondering rather then anything sexual at that age.

You might even discuss with your mom about it, explaining that your little sister is becoming more curious about the human body and her own and that your mother might need to sit down and discuss some of the development of it. That is if your mom is the type who is open to that type of discussion. If she isn't, then that could have been a reason as well why she was searching google, to find some answers. Is she going to do it again? Possibly either searching or possibly even asking someone else if she feels that she can't talk to you or your mother about it.

Answer 4

First off, I am very sorry for what you're going through. You deserve a lot of credit for the wonderful job you seem to be doing with your own children and how you've taken in your younger sister. You do not need a referral from a doctor, but you should shop around a little for one with a good reputation. Talk to each therapist first before allowing her to speak to your sister. Make sure the therapist knows the situation, and get some referrals from her to possibly find some camps, schools, etc. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

Parental controls are the easy answer, set up your account or browser to inhibit this kind of contact, or web-site. Or go to TOOLS>internet options>security tab, select Restricted sites, this will make a small window to appear, then simply type in the items you do not want to appear on your computer. Most ISP's offer a restricted material service, look up the Help function at the top of the browser to see what other options are available, or download one of the free software programmes that are available. By restricted content I mean anything of an ADULT Nature. Some security software also offer this option.

Alternative, Why not just set up your screen saver to have a password that your 8 year old sister will not know. I suggest a timing of 2 - 5 minutes of non-use by yourself, and then let it activate itself - You will need to enter your password to be able to use the computer, once the screensaver has started.

Answer 6

She's what...ten? Perhaps she is trying to figure out how she compares with other girls. Image is huge these days with younger girls. Does that surprise you with all the celebrities, advertising and entertainment that they are blasted with? 20 years ago, they were not concerned with this stuff until about 15 or 16, now it's 8-10.

Be a little understanding. Tell her she looks great. Tell her she is beautiful. Tell her not to sweat it. I think that being critical would be bad. If she has questions about sex, answer them if you can. Be honest. You can really be a friend.

Answer 7

the first thing you do is relax and calm down
she is enquisitive thats all
and if she hasnt seen things on tv etc she is bound to be curious
people think if you shield children they do not think about these things
not true
THIS is what happens
they start looking on their own and become in danger of finding a lot of VERY innapropriate material
there is nothing wrong in the things she is wondering, just the way she is going about it, but she obviously doesnt have someone to talk to, calm down and find out WHY she wanted to look, it may just have been for a bit of a giggle or maybe she wants to know what SHE will be like when she grows up, help her, dont make her feel she has done something bad,
good luck

Answer 8

shes just curious, its not bad unless she comes across something hardcore, i maybe would let your mum know but be sensitive her body will change soon and she may be worried prehaps people at school were talking about it and she wanted to know more but was scared to ask, don't give her a hard time, its a good indicator that maybe your parents could begin telling her the facts of life, if its seen as dirty or forbidden it will make her more curious and she may find something awful[there are some sick people out there] my parents kept the facts of life from me and it made me worried, i have told my kids everything but in a nice way, hope it works out

Answer 9

She was curious. Most kids are. I remember being shown a porn mag that someone had swiped from their father's stash in the garage, at that age. I looked because I was curious, but I was unimpressed.

Maybe she saw someone googling porn at the library or at school. Or happened on someone else's temp file.

You can find out how to block certain sites and adult content. I would certainly tell your mom or dad, and get them to block things like this.

Answer 10

I'm guessing she is just curious about boobs n stuff. My 7 year old daughter is fascinated when I get dressed and wants to know when she will get boobies! For the sake of your sister I would seriously get some parental control on that computer - she may stumble across a website that shows more than a naked body.