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.
This 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.
This 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.
(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.”
(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.
(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.
(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!
(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.
(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.
Connect Safely – Sexting can have serious psychological or even legal consequences if teens or kids are involved.
Common Sense Media – See how one teacher uses a screen writing app when addressing the sensitive subject of sexting.
Learn moreCommon 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.
National 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.
NetSmartz – Learn why they do it and what to say about it.
Bark – 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.
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…
Learn moreOnGuard Online – This guide from the Federal Trade Commission covers issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.
Common 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.
International 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.
Cyberbullying 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.
KET Education – In this video, Mary Beth Uberti of Operation Parent discusses the legal implications regarding sexting.
To 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.
FindLaw – 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.
REMS – 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).