TX- 'Sexting' common among teens

12-10-2008 Texas:

Plano teenager, 18-year old Melanie Young says everyone is doing it. "It's like flirting and just having a little fun," says Young.

The teen engages in "sexting", a term for a kind of text messaging that often involves sending erotic, nude pictures. Young says, "I don't pose nude, but I do send pictures and get pictures and my brother he gets pictures all day long."

Experts say "sexting" is becoming an all too common practice for many teenagers, who often think it's no big deal to send racy photos via email or text. Many consider it nothing more than sending a flirty note.

According to researchers at Rochester Technology of Institute almost one-third of teens in grades 10-12 have sent or received sexual content online and they use cell phones. For children in grades 4-6, that number is still one in ten.

Attorneys like Dallas lawyer, Clint David say the practice is trouble waiting to happen. "It is the height of insanity to take a picture of yourself naked and send it to another person", says David. At least one teenager has landed in jail because of his alleged actions involving "sexting."

A 16-year old Pennsylvania boy was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography after police say he coaxed a 15-year old girl into sending him explicit pictures.

David says prosecutors can easily use felony laws written to punish pedophiles against teens who send or receive provocative messages. "The bottom line is kids don't do this, if you have pictures hit delete."

"Sexting" teenagers say they are quickly finding out that what was meant for one set of eyes is often revealed to the world.

Young says a friend sent a nude picture to a boy she barely knew and it ended up being seen by every student in three schools. "You need to know the pros and cons before you send the message," says Young. ..News Source.. by Dawn Tongish, The 33 News