Sexting among teens has become a widespread problem, with 20% admitting to participating and 1/3 sending or receiving nude photos via text messages. While many teens see it as harmless flirtation, there have been severe consequences like suicide for those whose photos were shared. Schools are struggling with how to respond, as punishing through the legal system may not be the best approach. Educating students and parents about privacy, risks, and the permanence of online images may help address this issue. School administrators need clear policies and procedures for investigating cases to avoid legal trouble themselves.

1. Sexting

4. Sexting takes 30 seconds;
humiliation lasts a lifetime

6. (AP) Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas
says he doesn't want to change
Vermont's laws to lessen the
potential penalties for teenagers
who use their cell phones to
send sexually explicit pictures
and messages.

7. How does the public feel?

9. On or off school
grounds...

10. Again...early education
may be the answer.

11. This is becoming a big
problem.

12. Is arrest and conviction
the best way to handle
this situation for teens?

13. There have been severe
consequences, a student
in Ohio committed
suicide when nude
pictures of her were
circulated.

14. Statistics

15. 20% of teens have
admitted participating in
sexting.
Source: National Campaign to Support Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (2008)

16. About 1/3 of teens admit
either sending or
receiving photos.

17. Students see this as fun
or flirtatious activity, not
a criminal activity.

19. Definition

20. Sending or receiving
nude photos of minors

21. Can also be messages
describing sexual acts.

22. Why are students doing this?

23. Most students think of
this as harmless
flirtation.

24. Students are thinking
they are maintaining
privacy.

25. Parents do not know
that their children are
doing this.

26. Students fail to realize
the ease of transmission.

27. Students fail to realize
the permanency of the
transmission.

28. Pictures are easy to
upload on the Internet.

29. Society

30. This is not just a school
problem, it is a society
problem.

31. Schools should not be
responsible to fix this
problem alone.

32. Parental involvement and
responsibility is needed.

33. Talk to their children
about the risks.

34. Check messages of their
children.

35. Explain appropriate use.

36. Legal Implications

37. Students are being
charged with crimes.

38. Most teens do not know
that this is against the
law and could make
them a sex offender for
life.

39. Many believe that the
legal system is not the
answer.

40. Education may be the
best answer.

41. As usual, Mom and Dad
will defend their teens.

42. Administrators Response

43. Conduct a proper
investigation.

44. Confiscate the cell
phone.

45. Give student due
process rights.

46. Determine if offense is
covered by policy or law.

47. Same sex administrator
should do the inventory
of the phone.

48. Stop search when
“texting” evidence is
found and turn over to
police.

49. Talk to all parties
including sender and
receiver.

50. Determine how
widespread this has
become.

51. If teachers or students
have been found in
possession, shut down all
district servers and
access to the Internet.

52. If in doubt, contact law
enforcement.

53. Contact parents.

54. Check school district
policies, student
handbook and AUP for
infractions.

55. Invoke school penalties.

56. School Use of Cell Phones

57. Should schools ban cell
phones?

58. Cell Phones;
Discipline or
1:1 Computers

59. Problems for school
administrators

60. My Students. My Cellphone. My Ordeal.
By Ting-Yi Oei
Sunday, April 19, 2009

61. quot;High school assistant principal in
Loudoun County arrested for child
pornography,quot; announced WRC's Jim
Vance. quot;Details following the
Olympics.quot;

62. Facts
• Asst Principal investigated case of students
sending nude pictures to each other
• Student admitted picture was his
• Reported to principal who told assistant to
save on his computer
• Assistant did not know how to do this so had
student email photo to assistant who then
downloaded it on his computer

63. • Parent got mad at assistant and went to police
• Was charged with quot;failure to report suspected
child abuse.quot;
• In the end the charges were dismissed by
assistant paid dearly in both dollars for
attorney costs and personally via adverse
health for he and his wife

64. Recommendations

65. Be very cautious when
investigating

66. Be proactive

67. Check student
discipline policy and
student handbook

68. Check Acceptable Use
Policy

69. Consult with district
legal council

70. Look for guidance
before removing
photos etc...

71. Just like school
administrators should
not be in possession of
illegal drugs taken from
students, you should
not be in possession of
inappropriate pictures.

72. Establish a Chain of Command

73. Teach administrators
and teachers how to
deal with situations like
these

74. Same sex investigator

75. Inform parents
immediately

76. Inform supervisors
immediately

77. Consult with district
legal council

78. Call Police if you even
think you should be
calling police

79. Have a plan

80. Remain calm

81. Go slowly

82. Check policies and
procedures

83. Execute the plan

84. Internet Awareness

85. Once something is put
on the Internet it is
never deleted.

86. Students need to know
about social networking
sites such as Facebook
and MySpace.

87. The Internet is not
private.

88. Administrators Beware

89. Students are now trying
to disguise themselves,
this means they know
what they are doing is
wrong.

90. Check your
Acceptable Use Policy

93. Public Relations

94. Public Relations

96. What is the future computer
for classroom use?