Published: April 23, 2009 09:53 pm      

‘Sexting’ drawing attention locally

Two weeks ago, three teenage girls who allegedly sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves, and three male classmates in a Pennsylvania high school who received them, were charged with child pornography, CBS News reported.

That came just after ABC News said 20 percent of teens admitted to engaging in “x-rated” text messaging.

High schoolers generally intend to share a photo of themselves with a boyfriend or girlfriend, but often times the pictures wind up being shared with others or posted online.

Some say the accessibility of the camera cell phone is a big part of the problem. Nearly every cell phone on the market today is equipped with a built-in camera.

Media outlets across the country are reporting that “sexting” — sending nude or semi-nude photos via text message — is becoming shockingly common among teens.

Although high schoolers aren’t thinking much into it when they engage in sexting, some local officials say teens need to be cognizant of the long-term consequences the disturbing new trend can create.

Kids need to understand there are ramifications that come along with sending x-rated photos of themselves, which can hurt them in their adult life, Nicholas County Prosecuting Attorney James Milam said.

Milam worked with assistant prosecutor Jonathan Sweeney, county Magistrate John Morton and the Nicholas County High School faculty to organize a sexting assembly for the entire NCHS student body.

At the assembly, held earlier this week, students were told about the dangers of sexting, criminal penalties and, most importantly, the fact that, “if they’re convicted, they’ll have to register as a sex offender,” Milam said.

Milam says the kids of West Virginia have picked up the sexting trend. It’s gaining popularity around the country, and Milam says he’s not looking forward to prosecuting the issue here at home.

“I don’t think they realize that they can actually be charged with child porn,” Morton said.

“What’s going to happen to these young people that are over the age of 18 when they pass one of these pictures along? If they’re charged with child porn, their lives are destroyed. If you’re a convicted sex offender, you have to register for at least 10 years. Sometimes for life,” he said.

NCHS teacher Joe Dooley says he’s concerned about his students engaging in sexting.

“One of our jobs in education is to inform them and give them knowledge,” he said.

“If you’re convicted as a felon, you’re not eligible for student loans.”

Dooley says his school has already had “a couple of incidents” and he felt the students needed to be pre-warned of the seriousness and long-term consequences they can run into if they engage in sexting.

“A young lady may send a picture to her boyfriend. If they break up, he sends it out to others or posts it on the Internet,” Dooley said.

“We’ve had cases in our county where they can both be charged with shipping child pornography out. The goal is to make sure our students understand how one act can affect their life. A girl sends out a picture of herself and tries to apply for a job a few years later. Once that picture goes on the Internet, it’s out forever.”

Milam says kids need to remember one simple rule.

“If you don’t want your mom or your grandma to see it, don’t send it.”

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com