Sexting and cyber bullying can cause a lot of problems for teens and their parents — such as getting them suspended from school (for starters). It can also be a crime. The reality of the world for teenagers and parents is that whether or not they think it is harmless others may not, and cyber bullying and sexting is becoming an increasing problem. The best thing parents can do is to prevent problems like this before they occur.
Students could face suspensions for ‘sexting’
“”NEW YORK (WABC) — As far as some teenagers are concerned, what’s called “sexting” is only flirting.
But decision makers for the Department of Education in New York City will soon consider a proposal that would ban students from sending explicit or suggestive text messages, both inside and outside of school.
Students would face suspensions of up to 90 days. They could also be booted from class for cyber-bullying.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 4 percent of cell phone owners between the ages of 12 and 17 say they have sent suggestive nude or semi-nude images of themselves via text message.
Another 15 percent say they have received such images of someone they know. Twenty-three percent of boys and 24 percent of girls say they sent the images due to peer pressure.
If education officials pass the texting ban, they will hear from the New York Civil Liberties Union, which argues activities outside schools should not be regulated and the offense is too narrowly defined.
A hearing is set for Wednesday.”
and recently in Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania House approves plan to make ‘sexting’ a crime
“Sexting, sending nude or inappropriate pictures via cell phone or e-mail, would be a misdemeanor for teenagers under a plan approved by the state House today. The House voted to sign off on the plan by state Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, 163-36. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
Grove said his proposal allows district attorneys to charge teens ages 13 to 17 who “sext” with a summary offense or second-degree misdemeanor rather than charge the teen with a felony under child pornography laws. He also said the bill aims to keep inappropriate images out of the hands of child predators. “We cannot assume that sexting is normal expression of adolescent sexuality,” Grove said.
Opponents of the measure said even a misdemeanor was too serious an offense for a teen who uses poor judgment or sends an image to a boyfriend or girlfriend in confidence. “This is a parental problem … This is a family problem. This is a moral problem,” said state Rep. Kathy Manderino, D-Philadelphia. “This should not be made a criminal problem.
“This all starts with a consensual activity that gets out of control. I’m sorry if it gets out of control, but there are other sexual acts that children get involved with that get out of control that are not a crime,” Manderino said.”"
Using parental control tools on a mobile phone helps parents not just prevent their children from becoming victims, but also helps prevent the kind of behavior that can get teens into legal trouble.
