Sexting Criminal Teen Trend By a show of hands, how many have heard of or know what sexting is? Today's presentation will cover: How it came to be, brief definition, alarming statistics, legal aspects, case studies and what parents can do. 1

For many teens and tweens, texting is a major part of everyday communication with their friends. Flirtation is also a major part of teen life. When flirtation and technology combine, a new phenomenon is created: ‘Sexting’. Note: Unless otherwise stated, tween means ages 10-12 teen means ages 13-19 and young adult means ages 20-26. Sexting 2

The act of sending sexually explicit messages, semi nude or nude photos via cell phone cameras and messaging features, usually between young people. There are several variations of the definition, but in short, sexting is… What is Sexting? 3

A survey of teens and young adults reported that 1 in 5 teens and one-third of 20-somethings have electronically sent or posted online nude or semi-nude pictures or video of themselves. Where going to get into the dry stuff for just a bit, but the statistics are going to alarm you… Sexting 4

Sexting 22% of teen girls, 18% of teen boys and 11% of young teen girls (13-16) have sent nude photos of themselves electronically Over a third of teen boys and 40% of young men have reported receiving or seeing ‘private’ photos. At least half o f the men in the room received those nude photos. 5

Sexting 15 percent of males are disseminating explicit images when they break up with their girlfriends Girls are too trusting of their boyfriends, thinking they’ll never do such a terrible thing. This is done maliciously and out of spite in attempt to ruin their reputation. This will be very true if the female is the one that broke up with the male. What they don’t realize when sending the picture is that once they send it they have no control where it is going to end up. 6

More females do it than males, but it is pretty close More females do it than males, but it is pretty close. Most often it is between boyfriend and girlfriend, but sometimes it is about letting someone know you are interested in hooking up. Marketing tool. There version of E-Harmony with a twist. Self esteem boost, get attention that they would normally not get. Sexting 7

The practice is causing controversy and disruption on school grounds throughout the nation and has generated problems for law enforcement. Laws that were written to protect minors against pedophiles have not yet caught up with technology. Some middle schools report sexting is their #1 behavioral problem. Which seems to run neck and neck with “cyberbullying” and there is a parallel. Sexting 8

The transmission of communications, posting of harassing messages, direct threats, social cruelty, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies… So here is a brief definition of Cyberbulling. Cyberbullying 9

The connection between Sexting and Cyberbullying In the case of… The connection between Sexting and Cyberbullying 10

18 year old Jessica Logan of Cincinnati Ohio was viciously harassed by girls who knew her nude photo had been sent around by Jessica’s ex-boyfriend. For months she faced taunts of “slut”, “porn-queen” and “whore”. Victim of Sexting 11

Insults were posted on Jessica’s Facebook and MySpace pages. She became introverted and missed school Appeared on local TV, identity concealed – to “make sure no else goes through this”. Victim of Sexting 12

July 3, 2008 – Jessica hanged herself in her bedroom, and was found by her mother. Her cell phone on the floor. Victim of Sexting 13

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Sexting – Psycho-Social Effects 15

Sexting – What teens should ask… 16

Sexting: Legal Aspects Under federal law, persons convicted of child porn or exploitation may face: Minimum 5 years in prison up to maximum 20 years. Sending sexually explicit images of minors on cell phones is punishable by North Carolina law (2nd or 3rd degree sexual exploitation) Up to 9 years of prison Lifetime duty to register as sex offender Sexting: Legal Aspects 17

Florida: 18 year old Philip Albert, was convicted and sentenced to 5 years’ probation and required to register as a sex offender for sending naked photo of his 16 year old girlfriend to her family and friends after an argument. Ohio: 13 year old boy is facing felony charges after a video of sexual activity was found on his cell phone. New York: 16 year old boy facing up to 7 years in prison for forwarding nude photo of his girlfriend to his friends Sexting - Case Studies 18

Alabama: Authorities arrested 4 middle school students for exchanging nude photos of themselves. Ohio: 15 year old boy sentenced to house arrest, 100 hours of community service, counseling, and 30 days of probation for possessing nude photo of a 15 year old girl on his cell phone. Girl pictured was sentenced to 100 hours community service, counseling and no cell phone use for 30 days. Sexting - Case Studies 19

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Public Affairs Division Power Point created by: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Public Affairs Division 20