Pocono News Section

Seminar will Teach Dangers of "Sexting"

Seminar will Teach Dangers of "Sexting" - Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 04:04AM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday March 31 2010
SWIFTWATER, MONROE COUNTY - More and more teens are using cell phones to send explicit text messages and nude photos. Police call it "sexting."

State Trooper David Peters said,"Once it's out there - it's out there. It can never be taken away."

While many teens think sexting is harmless fun - the Monroe County District Attorney's Office says think again - sexting is a serious issue and it could get you in trouble with the law.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Rakaczewski explained,"That individual can actually be prosecuted for possession of child pornography - if they disseminate it to someone else they could be prosecuted for dissemination of child pornography. If they actually take it themselves - that's production actually potentially of child pornography."

Under current law sexting is a felony. If prosecuted, a teen could miss out on college financial aid and might have to register as a sex offender.

Peters said celebrities and images in media often make children think they need to express themselves sexually. He remarked,"It desensitizes them to certain things."

He said parents are the first line of defense. You need to make sure you watch how your children use technology. He added,"They need to know what they're children are doing. Their kids have enough friends. They needparents."

There is a free public seminar on the issue tonight (Tuesday). It's at the Pocono Mountain East High School Auditorium at 7 p. m.

Law enforcement will teach parents the warning signs and show them some software that could help them track their child's cell phone use.