NOBLESVILLE, IN—
Central Indiana parents got an eye-opening lesson Wednesday night about a disturbing issue that affects their kids more and more. Sexting -- the sending of explicit text messages has become so prevalent the Hamilton County sheriff hosted a forum about it.In Central Indiana, across the nation and the world it is happening. Sexting - or sending sexually explicit messages or images electronically usually via cell phone - is popular, especially among teens.
It is so popular and so problematic that Wednesday night in Hamilton County the sheriff's department devoted an entire evening to the very topic, trying to educate and prevent a major issue from becoming catastrophic.
"They don't understand the totality of a long time or forever. Forever to a student is next Friday," said Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Carter.
One Noblesville High School sophomore says sexting is an every day occurrence. A sobering reality for some of the 100 or so parents in attendance.
" I know lots of people they'll be like sending forward messages around stuff like that and they're very inappropriate," said student Tasha Harris.
"Things that I've heard embarrass me and I'm a parent. I can't believe kids would send things like this," added Rachel Bentley.
Teens are sending them and according to the Hamilton County Cyber and Sex Crimes Task Force they are spreading everywhere. And once those 'sext' messages are out they remain available for anyone to get for another 30 to 50 years.
Many teens, including two in the audience Wednesday night have parents who already restrict their texting usage and check up on them nightly
"I keep them all on a short leash. They have all the devices and everything but i keep them on a short leash," explained parent Victor DeFranco.
A good idea, say investigators because most teenagers don't realize how dangerous, how life altering, sexting can be.
"A lot of this can come back to bite you in the butt," said student Maris Feeley. "Like inappropriate pictures and texts and people get a hold of them and reputations get ruined and it's just a mess."
While some school districts are educating parents are others are putting plans into place to curb the practice. IPS is currently considering a district-wide ban. While East Noble School Corporation in Northeast Indiana has already amended the student handbook threatening to suspend or expel student who send or receive inappropriate content.
A recent report from the Indiana Youth Institute shows 20 percent of teens surveyed have participated in sexting.
