Sexting cases on the rise

Pettis County juvenile officers are reporting a drastic increase in sexting among area teens.

Sexting, a word formed from sex and texting, is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically between mobile phones. According to Deputy Juvenile Officer Mike Hughes, his office has seen an increase in cases over the last year.

“More and more cases are popping up,” Hughes said. “With technology there is always good and bad.”

Robin Balke, deputy juvenile officer, said parents need to learn the language of sex text messaging. While most parents and guardians recognize benign text codes such as LOL for “laugh out loud” or OMG for “oh my god,” there are a slew of other codes used by teenagers that convey sexual messages. LMIR stands for “let’s meet in real life” and GNOC means “get naked on camera.” The number eight is sexting code for “oral sex” and GYPO means “get your pants off.”

While sexually explicit conversations between teens may be age-inappropriate, Hughes said it isn’t illegal. However, when teenagers snap cell phone pictures or take video of themselves nude, semi-nude or engaging in sex acts, it becomes a criminal offense.

“People don’t think about that,” Hughes said. “A lot of kids don’t realize they are crossing the line.”

Possible charges can include possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, promoting child pornography and sexual exploitation of a minor. Hughes said juveniles can be certified as an adult in pornography cases and penalties can include up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a Class C felony. A Class B felony conviction could lead to five to 15 years in prison.

Hughes said teenagers convicted of child pornography cases also could be required to register as a sex offender until they’re 21-years-old.

“They will be stigmatized for the rest of their life,” Hughes said.

According to Hughes, the second a person 17 years of age or younger takes, sends or saves a nude or semi-nude photo, they have committed a crime.

Although the legal ramifications for child pornography are serious, Hughes said there are emotional consequences as well. Teenagers have been known to use the nude photos to harass, intimidate or embarrass the person who took the picture.

“One image sent can cause someone to be victimized over and over again,” Hughes said.

According to a recent survey by TRU, a company that administers surveys, 39 percent of teenagers say they are sending sexually suggestive messages and 20 percent admitted to sending nude photos and videos of themselves via their cell phone. The survey results indicate teens are not only sending suggestive content to their boyfriend or girlfriend, but many are sharing nude photos with someone they “would like to hook up with.” The survey was commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

“This isn’t just in Kansas City,” Hughes said, “it’s here in Pettis County and it is spreading.”

Hughes said the reason teens are engaging in sexting varies but most cite peer pressure as the driving force behind the activity. Balke said many teens believe sending a nude photo or having sexually-explicit conversations is merely high-tech flirting.

“Teenagers think it is less harmful because they aren’t actually having sex and they can’t catch a sexually transmitted disease,” Balke said.

With students on break from school for the holidays, Balke said she hopes parents will educate themselves about the seriousness of sexting and be aware of their children’s activities. Balke suggests parents call their cell phone providers and look into parental controls. She also suggests parents have their child enter into a contract. On the responsible wireless phone use contract, which is available at the Pettis County Juvenile Office, a child agrees to 13 things regarding cell phone usage including following school rules, answering the phone if a parent calls and not sharing photos that could embarrass themselves or others now or in the future.

Under the signed contract, parents agree to talk with their child about the use of their cell phone and setting reasonable consequences if rules are broken.

“Parents need to be responsible,” Balke said, “and they need to teach their children to be responsible.”