Teen Sexting Not Out of Control?

“Sexting” among teenagers may not be the epidemic it was initially reported to be. And a new Florida law, which went into effect Oct. 1, reduced a first-time offense for sexting — the electronic transmission of sexually explicit photographs or video from minor to minor — to eight hours of community service or a $60 fine, making it non-criminal.

A new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, indicates 1.3 percent of minors 10 to 17 years old have created or appeared in sexually explicit photographs or videos. Parents and educators feared the practice was more rampant.

Under the old Florida law, a minor caught sending or receiving explicit pictures could have been charged with a felony and required to register as a sex offender. Now, only second and subsequent offenses are considered criminal.

While new data suggests the problem is not as widespread as believed, and the law has been lessened, educators and psychologists warn the damage caused by sexting still can be longterm and in some cases irreparable.

“One of the biggest dangers is to your reputation,” said Bradley Woods, principal of . “You don’t know what the recipient is going to do with your image. If a revealing picture of you gets on the Internet, your future also could be affected.”

The future Woods and other educators speak of includes both college admissions and potential employers. Not to mention the broader social implications of having an image, whether a picture or video, forever posted on the Internet.

“A future, potential employer may find it and your shot at that job is history,” said Woods.

Sexting Study

The new study, authored by the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, serves to better define “sexting” and provide detailed statistics regarding the varying degrees and true nature of the practice. A total 1,560 youths were surveyed.

The survey differentiated between having appeared in or created sexually explicit images (1.3 percent surveyed) — those showing breasts, genitals or “someone’s bottom” — and nude or “nearly nude” images, including those in a “sexy pose” but fully clothed (2.5 percent surveyed). A higher rate reported receiving both categories of images.

The researchers cited context, or motivation, too. According to the study, “the most commonly reported reason for incidents was romance as part of an existing relationship; pranks and jokes or trying to start a relationship.”

The study also questioned previous surveys that reported up to 20 percent of teenagers were sexting. The authors criticized past benchmark studies for generalized criteria and using non-minors for respondents.

Florida’s Sexting Bill

HB 75, sponsored by state representative Joe Abruzzo, addressed the need to update the law with regard to advances in digital technology, and make a distinction between immature acts, child pornography and activities associated with adult predators.

The bill passed with resounding bipartisan support.

“The punishment did not fit the crime, we were ruining children’s lives over youthful indiscretions,” Abruzzo said in a YouTube video posted by MyFloridaHouse.

The law applies a more lenient three-strike approach. First offense is community service or a fine. The second is a misdemeanor. The third offense mimics the old law: a felony carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence.

“It’s going to help our parents. It’s going to help our students. It’s going to help all children across Florida … to set some guidelines to make sure that the punishment and crime fit together,” Abruzzo added in the video.

Abruzzo reinforced the new law does not apply to adult predators and sex offenders.

The Professional View

The dangers of sexting go beyond the courtroom, with psychologists pointing to the emotional distress — sometimes tragic — caused by the viral potential of inappropriate images. A well-publicized Tampa case involved 13-year-old Hope Witsell who committed suicide in 2009 after a topless image of her was widely distributed among her peers.

What can parents do?

“Be open with their student and monitor their phone activity. Talk with kids about the negative consequences,” said Woods.

How does Wharton handle sexting offenses? Woods is well-versed in the new Florida law.

“The only way the school would be involved is if an image was sent by a student to another student during school, or resulted in a disruption at school,” said Woods. “Neither Wharton nor the law looks at it as a criminal offense — the first time. The matter would be referred to the school resource officer, though.”

The stakes are high and maybe the simple solution is just don’t do it.

“People with bad intentions can cause you harm, so a good rule of thumb is to not use your phone to take photos of yourself in which you are not fully clothed,” said Woods.