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Tuesday, May. 05, 2009

New trend of sexting can mean trouble with the law for teens

Teens use their cell phones in several ways these days: Wi-fi, pictures, videos, games, texting. Now, that also includes sexting — the sending of nude photographs and sexual messages via cell phones.

The trend can be criminal for teens.

Florida police arrested 18-year-old Phillip Alpert for sending a nude picture of his 16-year-old girlfriend to her friends and family, according to CNN. He was convicted and is now a registered sex offender, CNN reports.

A 13-year-old boy in Ohio also faces felony charges after taping a sex act and showing it to his friends, according to CNN.

Many midstate teens said sexting should not be tolerated, but some said the punishment is too harsh.

“It’s shameful enough without the criminal charges, but I think a probation system is fair. Teenagers make mistakes and do stupid things, and that shouldn’t scar their lives,” said Stratford Academy senior Robert Lovett.

Nearly 20 percent of teens admit to sexting, according to a nationwide survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Several midstate teens said sexting is a waste of time.

“I think it’s just another stupid, unorthodox version of phone sex,” said Mary Persons High School senior Jacob Walton.

Brandon Berg, a sophomore at Tattnall Square Academy, said sending a nude picture through a cell phone is unattractive and pointless.

“I think it is absurd that kids are dumb enough to send each other pictures of themselves exposed,” he said.

Psychotherapist Stacy Kaiser said on CNN that girls may do it for attention from boys, and boys may do it for attention from friends. Sometimes teens don’t care who gets the photos, just that they’re the topic of conversation, she said.

“I only know of one person who does it. I think it’s kind of weird, especially for people who don’t really know each other,” Lovett said.

Some midstate teens, including Lovett, can name at least one person they know who sends these types of messages. Some admit to receiving sexual text messages and pictures that are forwarded to people all over their school.

“I think it’s extremely disgusting and irresponsible. People who do that don’t think before they do it,” said Kathryn Allred, a junior at Mary Persons.

Lauren Loudermilk is a sophomore at Tattnall Square Academy. Lisa Suh, a senior at Stratford Academy, and Rebecka McAleer, a junior at Mary Persons High School, contributed to this story.