Parents' Legal Guide to Teen Dating
A practical, plain-English guide for parents who want to understand the legal landscape their teenagers are stepping into — without panic, but with awareness.
Last Updated: · Reviewed by our Editorial Review Team
Conversations to have early
Talk to your teen about consent, age-of-consent law, and the criminal exposure that comes with sexting. Use real examples and clear language.
Three legal flashpoints
- Age-of-consent gaps — particularly when one partner turns 18 before the other.
- Sexting — see our state-by-state sexting guide.
- Authority relationships — coaches, tutors, employers, even slightly older co-workers.
When to call a lawyer
If your teen has been questioned by police, served a subpoena, or contacted by a school resource officer about a sexual matter, contact a juvenile criminal defense attorney before answering any further questions.
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