Sexting

Overview

Sexting is a new word in our modern lexicon born of the marriage between the words “sex” and “texting.” It means sending images, via cell phone or tablet, of children or teens that are inappropriate, naked or engaged in sexual acts.

Sometimes teens share the photographs voluntarily, but at other times teens may be coerced into taking or sending the photographs. 

Once the photos are sent, some kids use them to bully, harass, intimidate, or embarrass victims online or via mobile devices.

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Once the photos are sent, some kids use them to bully, harass, intimidate, or embarrass victims online or via mobile devices.

KCSS Sexting Resources

CYBERBULLYING AND SEXTING POWERPOINT FOR SCHOOL STAFF AND PARENTS

SSI Sexting Website Image KCSS Cyberbullying Sexting PPTThis downloadable PowerPoint is a brief overview of cyberbullying and sexting for school staff and parents. It defines and clarifies two types of digital media abuse. It was used at The Summit at Murray State University.

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SEXTING POWERPOINT FOR STUDENTS

SSI Sexting Website Image KCSS Sexting PPTThis PowerPoint is to be used with middle school and high school students. It is an overview of sexting and includes a definition, the consequences and the ramifications if caught with sexting photos.

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Handouts

SEXTING: HOW TEENS CAN STAY SAFE

SSI Sexting Website Image NCPC Handout(National Crime Prevention Council) A reproducible handout with information for teens on the dangerous practice of sexting. “Sexting is sending sexually explicit text or photographs via mobile devices. Sometimes teens share the photographs voluntarily, but at other times teens may be coerced into taking or sending the photographs. Once the photos are sent, some kids use them to bully, harass, intimidate, or embarrass victims online or via mobile devices.”

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SNAPCHAT HANDOUT

SSI Sexting Website Image KCSS SnapChat Handout(KCSS) That Little Ghost Can Haunt You! Be careful… It might seem fun. Easy for anyone to save your snaps and forward them on without you knowing.

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SEXTING AT SCHOOL: LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY

SSI Sexting Website Image NSBA Handout(National School Board Association) An article that outlines a number of legal and practical issues concerning “sexting” at school. It includes steps for administrators to take after a “sexting” incident, anti-sexting policies and using education to prevent sexting. Link to the NSBA website.

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SELFIES AND SELF ESTEEM

SSI Sexting Website Image KCSS Selfies Handout(KCSS) Taking a picture of yourself and posting it has become a virtual phenomena. Celebs are doing it, athletes are doing it and the President is doing it!

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SEXTING HANDOUT

SSI Sexting Website Image KCSS Sexting Handout(KCSS) What is it… Sexting is the exchange of sexually suggestive messages or images between minors via cell phone. For example, a girl might take an “inappropriate” picture of herself and send it to her boyfriend. Includes five tips to staying safe.

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SOCIAL MEDIA/INTERNET SAFETY

SSI Bullying Website Image KCSS Threats handout(KCSS) Be aware when using social media accounts, even disappearing content sites, that IP addresses are being logged by the site. If one uploads threatening material, risky pictures or cyberbullying the IP address can be used to locate the offender. Nothing disappears on the Internet and think before you click.

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Sexting Tips

THINK BEFORE YOU SEND

  • Remember Nothing is Private on the Internet – Your Images will be shared and passed around by other. Once it is out there you have no control.
  • When You Post to the Internet It Never Goes Away – It may seem fun and flirty and you send it on a dare, but teachers, parents, potential employers, college recruiters, coaches, friends and enemies can find you past post forever. Link to Ad Councils Video, Bulletin Board
  • Don’t Let Others Pressure You Into Something You Don’t Want To Do (even Online) – 40% of teen girls say they post sexually explicit images because of “peer pressure”. Take control of your own actions and say “No.”
  • What Will the Person Who Receives the Post Think – You might mean something to be a joke or funny, but they may take it as the type of person you are. Consider the real-life impression you are leaving. Could this ruin your reputation? Link to Ad Councils Video, Everyone Knows Your Name
  • You Are Not Anonymous – 20% of the teens who post sexually suggestive images do so to people they only know on line. Remember that someone can find your email, phone number and address if they try hard enough. (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen …Pregnancy-Tech Survey)

WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?

  • SSI Sexting Website Image NASP School PrepareEducate (staff, students and parents)
  • From the National Association of School Psychologists comes an article that outlines a number of legal and practical issues concerning “sexting” at school. This article includes: Negative Consequences, Prevention, Policy and Planning, Intervention, etc. … Is Your School Prepared for a Sexting Crisis?
  • SSI Sexting Website Image KDE Sample PoliciesReview policies and handbook relating to AUP, digital communication and Internet abuse
    >>Kentucky School Board Association has sample policies
    – Access to Electronic Media 08.2323
    – Telecommunication Devices 09.4261
  • State consequences clearly
  • Be consistent

Sexting Resources

TIPS TO PREVENT SEXTING

SSI Sexting Website Image ConnectSafely HandoutConnect Safely – Sexting can have serious psychological or even legal consequences if teens or kids are involved.

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STRATEGIES: USING TABLETS WHEN TEACHING SENSITIVE SUBJECTS

Common Sense Media – See how one teacher uses a screen writing app when addressing the sensitive subject of sexting.

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TEEN VOICES: SEXTING, RELATIONSHIPS, AND RISKS

SSI Sexting Website Image Common Sense Media Teen VoicesCommon Sense Media – Most middle schoolers aren’t prepared for the risks associated with sexting and self-disclosure in relationships. As technology makes it easier than ever for kids to share photos digitally, the stakes have never been higher. In this video, your students can listen to other teens’ honest — and sometimes frank — thoughts about their experiences with sexting, then consider how they might react in similar situations.

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IS YOUR SCHOOL PREPARED FOR A SEXTING CRISIS?

SSI Sexting Website Image NASP School PrepareNational Association of School Psychologists – It is much better to work to prevent sexting than deal with the aftermath, but educators must know how to do both.

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TIPS TO PREVENT SEXTING

SSI Sexting Website Image NetSmartz WebsiteNetSmartz – Learn why they do it and what to say about it.

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BARK MONITORING TOOL FOR SCHOOLS

SSI Internet Safety Website Image BarkBark – Bark for Schools provides a world-class online safety solution for K-12 schools in the U.S. Our comprehensive solution comprises G Suite and Office 365 student account monitoring, Chrome/Chromebook monitoring, and a web content filter that categorizes and blocks harmful and inappropriate domains.

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RESOURCES FROM “I LOVE U GUYS” ON SEXTING

Resource includes videos, powerpoint presentation and others items to use with schools. The laws are very precise about child pornography. If a middle aged man is prosecuted for taking explicit pictures of a teenage girl, then he ends up on a sexual offender registry. He’s the perpetrator. She’s the victim. It gets a little more confusing when it’s the 14 year old girl taking and sending pictures of herself…

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NET CETERA: CHATTING WITH KIDS ABOUT BEING ONLINE

SSI Internet Safety Website Image Net CeteraOnGuard Online – This guide from the Federal Trade Commission covers issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.

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SEXTING AND RELATIONSHIPS: WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEXTING?

SSI Sexting Website Image Common Sense Media Sexting RelationshipsCommon Sense Media – It’s natural for teens to be curious about their emerging sexuality. But most middle-schoolers aren’t prepared for the risks of exploring this in the digital age. Help students think critically about self-disclosure in relationships and practice how they’d respond to a situation where sexting — or a request for sexting — might happen.

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MANAGING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE BY EDUCATORS AND OTHER ADULTS

SSI Sexting Website Image ITFCP Managing AllegationsInternational Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP) – This protocol provides a framework to guide school leaders and strengthen decision-making as they manage allegations of child abuse by educators and other adults currently or previously working in international school settings. Building on the work of the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP) and the Safeguarding Unit at Farrer & Co, we continue our work across professions to develop child protection resources for the international school community.

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Sexting Laws/Training

STATE SEXTING LAWS

SSI Sexting Website Image CRC State Sexting LawsCyberbullying Research Center (Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D. and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D.) – This regularly updated fact sheet provides a brief overview and link to each of the state sexting laws.

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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS REGARDING SEXTING

SSI Sexting Website Image KET Legal ImplicationsKET Education – In this video, Mary Beth Uberti of Operation Parent discusses the legal implications regarding sexting.

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A TRAINING GUIDE FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND EDUCATORS ON ADDRESSING ADULT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

SSI Sexting Website Image REMS Sexual Misconduct GuideTo help K-12 schools and school districts understand ASM, develop related policies and procedures, train on ASM awareness and prevention, and recognize the role of social media and technology in ASM, the REMS TA Center has released this guide.

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KENTUCKY CHILD PORNOGRAPHY LAWS

SSI Sexting Website Image KY LawsFindLaw – Under both state and federal law, child pornography is illegal. In Kentucky, there are various laws that criminalize the creation, possession, distribution, and promotion of material that portrays sexual performances by minors.

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ADDRESSING ADULT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN THE SCHOOL SETTING: AN OVERVIEW

SSI Sexting Website Image REMS Sexual Misconduct WebinarREMS – Webinar on the topic of adult sexual misconduct (ASM) in schools, and how schools and school districts can address this issue through the framework of their emergency operations plan (EOP).

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