Parent alert on sexting trend
BY ALISON BRANLEY
Parents are being encouraged by education authorities to inspect their children’s mobile phones and personal web pages in a bid to reduce “sexting”.
There is a growing trend of children and teens sending provocative pictures or videos of themselves or others to their friends via mobile phones.
The name sexting comes from the term texting, where people send text messages to each other through their mobile phones.
There were at least three serious incidents of sexting reported in the Hunter and Central Coast last year.
In an information sheet sent home to parents, the NSW Education Department urges them to warn their children about sexual predators and to learn how to use and monitor their children’s mobile phones, Facebook and MySpace internet page accounts.
1-in-5 teens ’sexting,’ many under pressure
by ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 NEWS
MILL CREEK, Wash. – The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has found one-in-five teenagers has sent or posted nude photos of themselves for friends to see. Another survey, being used by educators to dissuade teens from “sexting” found 40 percent of adolescent girls feeling pressured to send naked pictures via cell phone to their boyfriends. 20 percent of boys reported feeling pressured.
“It’s just what kids do these days,” says Steve Smith, the school resource officer for Mill Creek’s Jackson High School. “They have no idea the damage it can do and how permanent it is.”
Smith, an officer with the Mill Creek Police Department, also works at the city’s Heatherwood Middle School. He says he has seen cases of kids as young as 12-years-old sexting.
“We only see the tip of the iceberg,” he says. “There is a lot more of this going on than we know about.”
Officer sends message about sexting
Police: Teens don’t realize social, legal consequences
By Katie Murdoch
Enterprise editor
MILL CREEK — Mill Creek Police Officer Steve Smith has seen this situation too many times — a teenage girl crying in front of him because a risqué picture she sent to her boyfriend is circulating on her classmates’ cell phones.
Sending images or messages via cell phone of someone naked, acting or dressed inappropriately or engaged in sexual acts is known as “sexting.”
While students are aware of what sexting is, many don’t realize the repercussions are often severe.
For starters, provocative pictures of someone under 18 is legally classified as child pornography. Carrying or sending the pictures can lead to being charged with a felony and could mean having to register as a sex offender.
Prevent teens from becoming sexting victims
Many of you have e-mailed me and my education director, Joel Mesa, in reference to “sexting” — what it is and what you as a parent can do — so here is what Joel and our Youth Crime Watch staff have put together to educate our readers.
Sexting is a dangerous new practice that can have serious legal and psychological consequences for your teen. It’s the sending of sexually explicit text or photographs from mobile devices. The photographs are often shared voluntarily, but sometimes a young person may be coerced into taking or sending these photographs.
Once the photos are sent, they can be used to bully, harass, intimidate or embarrass victims online or via mobile devices. Sexting can be a felony. Some teenagers who have sent or received explicit pictures have been charged with possession of child pornography. If convicted, your teen could be labeled as a sex offender for the rest of his or her life. (Although in this legislative session, the Florida House tried to remedy the statue, the Florida Senate killed it, therefore the convictions stand as a “sex offender.”)
In many sexting situations, the photos shared between boyfriends and girlfriends are often forwarded and shared with friends and classmates. Access to technology means that one photo can reach thousands in just a few hours via websites and mobile devices.
Reality check: Sexting can lead to serious trouble
By Ariel Wolseley
GuamPDN.com
One of the most popular ways to keep in touch with your friends is a cell phone. Teens seem to prefer to quick message each other rather than call each other up and have a full conversation.
Many teens believe that what they put in a text is more private than what they put up on their Myspace, Facebook or Twitter profiles, but they are mistaken.
“People tend to become much more expressive in their texting, which causes them to let down their guard,” says Juanita Blas of Island Girl Power. The organization, launched in November 2001, aims to educate girls ages 9 to 14 about pregnancy, depression, eating disorders, suicide and other problems before they enter the risky teenage years.
Eighth-graders learn about dangers of sexting
By: JOAN HELLYER
Philly Burbs.com
The teens were encouraged to delete suggestive photos from their cell phones and other digital devices.
Picture this: A young teenage boy asks his young teenage girlfriend to take a photo of herself in a risque position, like when she’s coming out of the shower.
He asks her to send it to him on an electronic device, like a cell phone, and he promises not to share it with anyone. After some convincing, the girl sends the photo in a text message. He opens it and saves it.
Sexting: A serious crime, teaching by example
by Nishi Gupta
KTBV
NAMPA — Sometimes it’s to people they know.
Sometimes — complete strangers.
But in a case out of Canyon County last year — a classmate pretended to be someone else.
What followed was humiliation — and criminal charges.
It was a letter any teen would be thrilled to get.
Sadie Coons certainly was — a secret admirer told her she was gorgeous, and that he wanted to love to her forever.
Sadie didn’t know who he was, but she was eager to find out.
Crime and punishment: The sexting debate
MEDINA — Ohio defines sexting among juveniles as child pornography.
Such crimes come with hefty penalties and long lasting effects.
Is it fair that sexters suffer such severe punishments?
Some Northeast Ohio teens and others weigh in on this heated debate.
Sexting, cell phones and Facebook, done instantaneously, can take a split second poor decision and create a lifetime of pain.
“A lot of it is guys trying to get at girls or guys trying to get back at each other,” High School Junior Maggie Croghan said.
As much as it’s frowned upon, the Medina teens we spoke with say the punishment does not fit the crime.
Worried About Cyber-Bullying? Sexting? SMobile’s Security Software Can Protect Your Kids
by Jason Reese
Gear Diary
Growing up with today’s technology has its advantages. Constant access to family and friends via social networking, and the ability to take all of your music, photos and videos with you wherever you go are just a few perks. As many parents will tell you, there are also downsides to growing up in the “always connected” generation.
Kids can all to easily be maliciously bullied via texting, Twitter and Facebook. All without any physical contact. Even worse, kids can even become targets for sexual predators — all from that mobile phone you gave them only for ‘emergencies.’ A company called SMobile is working to help families block what’s dangerous, while offering monitoring and location-based services to help ensure your child’s safety.
Read on to see SMobile’s full list of features and learn how it can help protect your loved ones.
Read more about mobile security products
Sexting, Texting and Where the Girls Go Online
Boys and girls are different. That may not be a surprise to you, but you’ll be even more convinced now after you find out where and what girls and guys do online and with their mobile phones.
In this report from Pew Internet group, 15% percent of teens send sexually suggestive, nude or nearly nude images or videos of themselves to someone. The study shows that teens were pressured into sending those messages because that’s what everyone else was doing.
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