Letter: Newtown High School Sexting Case, Scary, But Worth Understanding

By Ivonne Zucco

On January 27th news was released about an alarming sexting case at Newtown High School. The story talks about how, in May last year, more than twenty students were involved in the distribution of nude and sexually explicit photographs of classmates and three of those students have been charged with child pornography as a consequence of possessing and selling those pictures.

Sexting has added another layer to the complexity of the teenage years. Although, sending nude pictures to others seems totally out of the normal boundaries, it is not uncommon. In a study conducted by Drexel University in 2015 on adult sexting behaviors, out the people who answered the survey, 88% had sexted. Also, an article named “Why Kids Sext,” published in November 2014 by The Atlantic magazine sites “a recent study of seven public high schools in East Texas found that 28% of sophomores and juniors had sent a naked picture of themselves by text or email, and 31% has asked someone to send one.” A possible explanation of why kids sext is that behavior itself forms part of normal sexual exploration, just like the older generation shared playboy magazines with their friends, or explored each other bodies in private settings. The difference today, is that when a picture is captured and sent, there is no way to control what happens with it and the legal and psychological consequences for everyone involved can be devastating.

What can you do?

· Understand that as a parent, you are the most important part in this equation. The only effective tool you have to guide your kids through the complicated ever changing technology world is good communication and trust. No parental control software will ever replace that.

· When talking to your children, more than panicking over the serious legal consequences, focus on the emotional consequences. Explain how this behavior affects real people.

· If you don’t know how to talk to your child about it, seek help. The Prevention Department at The Center provides presentations in the community that address this issue in detail. Ask your school and community centers to host these programs.

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Ivonne Zucco is the Executive Director of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education.

The Center is a non profit organization who’s mission is to provide counseling and support to victims of sexual assault and to eliminate sexual violence through community wide education programs. Prevention presentations, counseling and advocacy are available to the public free of charge. Visit our website for more information www.thecenter-ct.org or call our office at 203-348-9346 for more information.