Behaviors to watch out for when adults are with children

StopItNow.org has compiled a list of behaviors adults shouldn’t exhibit when with children — that includes older teens:

■ Makes others uncomfortable by ignoring social, emotional or physical boundaries or limits

■ Refuses to let a child set any of their own limits? Uses teasing or belittling language to keep a child from setting a limit

■ Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding a child even when the child does not want this physical contact or attention

■ Frequently walks in on children/teens in the bathroom/locker room/fitting room

■ Turns to a child for emotional or physical comfort by sharing personal or private information or activities, normally shared with adults

■ Has secret interactions with teens or children (e.g. games, sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material) or spends excessive time to emailing, text messaging or calling children or youth

■ Insists on or manages to spend uninterrupted time alone with a child

■ Seems “too good to be true, i.e. frequently baby sits different children for free; takes children on special outings alone; buys children gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason

■ Allows children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors

■ Frequently points out sexual images or tells dirty or suggestive jokes with children present

■ Exposes a child to adult sexual interactions or images without apparent concern

■ Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child’s developing body or interferes with normal teen dating)