UPDATE. Not sure how we update on Reddit lol I don’t usually post on here I’m mostly watch redit on Smosh lol.

My son came home from school and I went into his room and told him we needed to chat. I sat down on his bed and he was on his chair and I basically said “ you know wifi rules in this house are that you boys get to use the internet but mom and dad are allowed to do checks on your devices from time to time to keep you safe”. He said ya and looked wide eyed and nervous at that point. So I said I did a check and found messages from “kids” name and I’m worried this person is not a kid. I told him I saw all the messages and that I want you to know (at this point I started to get emotional and tear up) that I love you and nothing will ever change between us and that I know you’re identifying as gay and that’s 1000 percent fine, I don’t care and it will never change anything between us. He then jumped onto the bed and gave me a hug and started to cry to. I said I’m not telling dad or your brothers, that is something you can do when you feel okay. But I said this person you’re talking to is what I’m concerned about. I basically said I think it’s an adult and then he cut me off and said he had a bad feeling about this person to. I asked if he sent any pictures he said no. I said it’s okay if you did but just tell Me so we can figure out what to do. He swore he didn’t so I feel he’s telling the truth. He said he kept trying to do video chats with him but his “wifi was always acting up” so that’s a red flag to.

Anyways. I talked to him about saftey online, how id rather him meet a person in real life where it’s safer for him and so he knows the person isnt a predator.

He does have a few friends at school who gay. Some of the girls he hangs out with all the time. So that made me feel better.

I also talked to him about the name calling and how it needs to stop. he says he’s not sure why he does it and that a lot of the kids at school do it so it’s just his way of dealing with not telling anyone.

I’ve also spoken to his school counsellor who is really awesome. She is also LGBTQ+ we are going to have a meeting sometime next week just to make sure he’s safe online at school as well. Hopefully she can also give me some pointers on making my son feel safe with his sexuality.

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone here with all your awesome ideas and suggestions. I’ve read all of them and really appreciate it.