Sexting

Sexting is serious and it's a felony. That is the message from Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi being delivered to Central Indiana pre-teens and teens.

FOX 59's Gene Cox discovered few local school districts are doing their part to inform students and parents that a sexting conviction can lead to 3 years in jail.

Only one Central Indiana school district FOX 59 contacted was doing anything to warn parents and students about the risks associated with sexting.


One school district contacted replied to a request for an interview about sexting by saying, "It's not a problem and we would rather just keep a lid on it."

In a recent national study nearly 40% of teenagers said they had sent sexually suggestive texts or pictures of themselves to other minors.

"If this is the catalyst for parents to have a conversation with their kids to maybe get some spy ware for the phones that is a very good thing," Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said.

Child psychologists say the negative impact of sexual information or photographs being shared by teenagers can be far reaching.

"The research shows that victims of exhibitionism can suffer some of the same types of emotional repercussions as more aggressive crimes like sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape," Dr. Deanne Harvey with St. Francis Hospital said.

For more information on how parents can deal with the sexting issue log onto the following web sites: www.kajeet.com or www.brickhousesecurity.com or www.wirelessfoundation.com