Sexting An Epidemic Among Children

Long gone are the days that cell phones were 'only' capable of making phone calls. Nowadays anyone can get a phone that sends text messages, pictures and videos. But with new technology comes new fads. In this case among teens- sending explicit pictures and texts.

"They send them to guys that they would like to get with and then yeah they show them to everyone. Everybody. They get sent everywhere", said Parker Gilkesson, a 16-year-old local high school student.

I spoke to three high school juniors who say sexting is like a virus, sweeping teens in Central Illinois. It's a common topic of conversation in school hallways.

"Somebody sent a picture and the boy's showing everybody and the girl doesn't really care. But yeah you'll hear about it", said 16-year-old Bianca Brown.

They say sexting even goes on in middle schools. But the 16-year-olds say it's not just the girls sending pictures, they say boys shamelessly send photos to girls in hopes they WILL pass them on.

"There is girls out there that just because they heard of a picture they would try to go mess with that boy", said the high school juniors.

Is it boredom, hormones or perhaps the fact that it's sensationalized by popular musical artists? Musician, Trey-Songz has a new single. The catch phrase it "Shorty just text me says she wants to sex me".

Two of the girls I spoke to say, where as they think actually sexting is silly, they love the tune.

"It is kind of catchy. Like LOL smiley face", said Brown.

Although it's not illegal to make a song about sexting, Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons says actually doing it particularly among minors is illegal.

"If a 16 -year-old texts or picture messages someone or something that would be classified as harmful to a minor, that person had committed an offense for which they can be prosecuted", said Lyons.

A 15-year-old Peoria boy found that out the hard way, after sending a Peoria woman's woman's 14-year-old daughter explicit photos. The mother wished to remain anonymous for this interview.

"He wanted to basically meet up with her. He didn't use those words though, and then when she didn't respond, he started sending her naked pictures" said the mother.

The woman says her daughter had left her cell phone at home that day, and after she saw the pictures, she called the police. Officials tracked him down and the boy was charged with a class A misdemeanor. He's currently serving a year of probation.

Unlike this case, the states attorney says typically when a parent reports an incident like this, both children end up in trouble.

Lyons said, "Left out of the equation my mom and dad maybe, oh by the way, those pictures came in response to the pictures I sent him of me".

Lyons says he's seen cases increase dramatically among children over the last few years. And he says being labeled a minor, doesn't get you a free pass.

"Anywhere from probation to a year in jail. A second offense could be anywhere from probation to three years in prison", said the State's Attorney.

Under Illinois law, those 17 and up sending harmful material to a minor receive criminal adult charges. It's automatically a class four felony. The offender could serve one to three years in prison and pay up to 25 thousand dollars in fines.

At the Center for Prevention of Abuse, they've had to study up on the phenomenon as they've gotten calls from teachers, parents and school staff.

"What healthy relationships are and what healthy qualities are and to have respect for yourself not to put yourself out there" said Jeanne Anders.

Once gone, always gone. You click send, it got sent and it ain't a comin' back.

For those considering sexting, these girls have this advice,

"Just who your personality, let them get to know the real you. Maybe he'll like you, or if he don't, let him go. There'll be others".

If you are a parent, a child or administrator and would like more information on how to educate yourself on Sexting, you can click on this story on our website- week.com.

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