This Houston Chronicle story explores a new trend that is getting increased media attention: Teen "sexting," or teens sending sexually explicit message or photos via cell phone, some of which find their way onto the Internet where they can be viewed by anyone. Although some students are showing a casual attitude, parents are upset. An excerpt:
As more adults learn about the phenomenon, they are using a variety of tools to force kids to stop. At one end of the spectrum are parental lectures and regular phone inspections. At the other end, prosecutors in half a dozen states along the East Coast and in the Midwest are socking it to minors with pornography and obscenity charges. A few prosecutors want the most egregious sexters registered as sex offenders.
Eric Devlin, chief of the child exploitation section of the Harris County District Attorney's Office, says he gets calls about sexting every week and considers each case individually. If the sexting seems to be confined to teens exhibiting poor judgment or crying for attention, he contacts their parents and talks to them frankly.
Kelly Puente joined the Press-Telegram in 2006 as an editorial assistant and eventually worked her way up to general assignement reporter. Over the years, she’s covered everything from crime and breaking news to human interest and the cities of Bellflower and Cerritos. Kelly is a Long Beach resident and graduate of Cal State Long Beach. She’s new to the education beat and is looking for great stories.
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