This is some scary stuff people!

“Sexting” is a term for a kind of text messaging that often involves sending erotic, nude pictures. Experts say “sexting” is becoming a common practice for many teenagers, who often think it’s no big deal to send racy photos via email or text.

For many teens, they see it as nothing more than sending a flirty note.

According to researchers at Rochester Technology of Institute an estimated one-third of teens in grades 10-12 have sent or received sexual content online or via cell phone texting options. For children in grades 4-6, that number is still one in ten.

Even at one in ten – that’s serious and we’re talking about pre-teen even!

More teens are finding themselves sitting in jail as the result of this style of flirting.

A 16-year old Pennsylvania boy was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography after police say he coaxed a 15-year old girl into sending him racy pictures.

Just yesterday, after arriving home from middle school, informed his family that FBI agents had been at their school all day. The reason, a 13-year-old girl had sent nude photos of herself to one boy who in turn sent the image(s) on to eleven others.

Rumor has it all those involved are facing possible charges of possessing child pornography and distributing child pornography.

Much like the report, prosecutors can easily use felony laws written to punish pedophiles against teens who send or receive provocative messages.

While I’ve only just learned the new term “sexting” – this is far from a new topic that’s being discussed in my house. I’ve stressed to my kids that IF someone sends them an image they would not open in front of their grandmother – it’s probably bad and not to be kept. The best they can do is delete as quickly as possible and not risk getting in trouble for the lame actions of other teens who aren’t smart enough to figure out that sexting is wrong and extremely risky.

source: The 33 TV

this post from the guerilla parenting archives