VT- Is Your Child "Sexting?"

1-5-2009 Vermont:

The South Burlington Rebels are one player short these days. Seventeen year-old Isaac Owusu was recently suspended from the basketball team after allegedly sexually assaulting two teenage girls while on school grounds.

But the case is also highlighting a disturbing trend taking place amongst teenagers. It's called "sexting." Teens use cell phones to willingly send explicit, nude photos of themselves to others. Several young girls sent nude photos of themselves to Owusu, and teens say it happens every day. "It happens a lot actually," said Essex Freshman Verity Mendes.

"If you were to check every guys phone, you'd probably find it on 97 percent of the guys phones," said South Burlington High School freshman Rachelle Bedard.

A Chicago based trend analyst firm called Teenage Research Unlimited recently surveyed 1200 students about "sexting." One out of every five students told researchers they had used their cell phones to send sexy or nude photos of themselves.

Some adults say they're shocked. "This is all news to me. I didn't realize you could do that and that they did that," said South Burlington resident Michael Cassidy, a father of three.

"It bothers me from both sides, both boys and girls," added Linda Laberge of South Burlington.

Students say "sexting" is nothing new -- common amongst both boys and girls -- and taking place as young as middle school. Authorities are now urging parents to discuss sexting with their children, and to closely monitor activity on their cell phones and computers.

"Be open. Discuss it with them. Talk about these things throughout their adolescence so they know when something happens they can come to you, and don't over-react or you'll lose your child," cautions Art Cyr of the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations.

Cyr also says sexting isn't just a disturbing trend, it could also potentially land students in jail if the pictures fall into the wrong hands. Police say if the people in the pictures are under 16 it can be considered child pornography, and that's something they're looking into with the Owusu case. ..News Source.. by Keagan Harsha - WCAX News