Recently I have heard about incidents involving sexting at schools. Upon the situation coming to light the schools have expelled all students involved. This has a potential to affect a great deal of students as if a picture is forwarded the person who sent it becomes a distributor of child pornography. The laws do not specify between minor and adult. There is a possible children who are caught sexting could face official charges. This will place some very lasting consequences on these children. What do you feel would be the appropriate way to handle situations like this? More importantly what ways could you think of to help stop this problem before it starts.
16 Comments
Carl RIchburg
4/20/2014 12:43:21 pm
Sexting is a huge problem in schools. I think the way to handle it is to create a school rule about it, and just let the state handle any legal ramifications. That's an issue that allowing phones in school can get the school in trouble with as well. Keep phones out of school, and so the only way issues will arise is off school grounds. Have parents and students sign a waiver at the beginning of the year describing the punishment to your schools policy on sexting.
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Kennedy Seifert
4/21/2014 12:29:55 am
This is a really tough subject to touch on. I think the hardest part about it is that there is not a law stating the line between an adult and a minor. How does a school set guidelines when the law doesn't? I think the best way to handle this is to make set rules on the subject. The biggest problem will be the parents and thats where schools need rules so they can rely on that to explain why the consequences were what they were. Without rules the parents can argue any angle they want.
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Kim Holifield
4/23/2014 02:10:56 am
This is such a touchy subject! As far as school goes, I am not really sure what can legally be done and to whom. The use of technology at home has become a major issue that is arising in school. As a parent, I'd like to think I have a handle on what my child is doing with his technology, but can we really know for certain? I think this has been brought up in discussion before, as far as educating our students and children about internet safety. Of course, we all understand cyber bullying is a major issue in our generations today, just as 'sexting' has become an issue as well. So to answer the question of how to appropriately handle this issue, I am clueless. As a lower level educator, I would hope I never have to deal with this issue and I'm not sure how I would handle it. Other than handing the situation over to my authorities in my building, I am stuck.
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Lyndsey Talbot
4/23/2014 03:21:43 am
I agree that this is a touchy subject. It's getting to the point where either phones need to be banned or, like was mentioned above, a waiver needs to be sent out to parents. Parents need to be made aware of what is happening, and that they need to take some responsibility in the matter.
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Travis Tompson
4/26/2014 01:59:23 am
I think since there is no law specifying between minor and adult, you use that to your advantage. I think scare tactics would come first, having some sort of presentation on the subject, and the legal ramifications that comes with it at the adult level (serious $ and prison time). I think that if you scare them enough, they wont want to deal with the problem altogether. You could put it at the top of your discipline chain, making it a major offense if found to be true. Otherwise, Im not too sure as to how you can prevent these things from happening, for students are going to do what they want anyway on a variety of dangerous topics.
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James French
4/26/2014 10:44:49 am
Thanks for all the comments on this topic I know it is not an easy one to think about. I believe this is the reason this is even a problem. I have heard many times from many parents, including myself, I am not ready to have that discussion with my child. However, the simple truth is your child and all children are growing up and experiencing things they are not sure of emotionally and physically. We did not have the internet and were not exposed to nearly as much adult material as kids now. Students need to have information from a trusted source and not learn about something so important from peers who most likely have inappropriate information.
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Brad Howell
4/26/2014 11:03:47 am
This is a really tough topic to discuss, as I do not think there is much a school can do to eliminate the issue. This is something that has to go back to outside of schools; to the homes and the family of the students. I know having a trustworthy family or friend cannot always be counted on but I honestly do not think a school will be able to say "don't sext" and it will be done. The only semi-solution I can imagine is. Not allowing any phones to be out in the classroom. This used to be enforced much more, but as we move into the technology age there are more schools embracing the smart phones.
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Tyler Reece
4/27/2014 08:32:30 am
Their is not much a school can do about this other than let the laws that are in place take care of it. Schools can educate students on the problems that it causes and the consequences, but other than that students will have to pay the price of their actions.
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Jacqui Cappuccilli
4/27/2014 10:07:28 am
I agree with everyone on this being a very touchy subject, as well as deciding what the rules should be in a school. I think there does need to be set rules, and a waiver sent to parents wouldn't be a bad idea either. You can't always control what kids are going to do but if you make rules at least some will follow.
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Gary Jones
4/27/2014 10:13:27 am
The only way I see this problem being fixed is if the parents keep restrictions on their kids electronic devices. There is always going to be a problem with this because our culture is changing. Kids are trying to grow up too fast. I think you need to let the kids know that it’s a federal offence and it will affect them in the long run
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Gino Bullock
4/29/2014 11:27:29 am
I think there are a view ways to address this issue.First I think you shouldn't allow students to bring their cell phones to school. The school has phones which the student can use in the case of an emergency. The second thing I would do is insure that parents put blocks on certain functions of the phone. I also think parents should also monitor their children's cell phone progress closely as well.
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April Young
5/1/2014 01:20:47 am
This is a hard subject and is a real problem in today's society. I believe that we need to teach students about professionalism, ethics and morals more than they are being taught. I think there is a time and place for cell phones and technology. Students should not be allowed to be freely on their phones while they are in the school setting.
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Shari Harrington
5/2/2014 11:33:53 am
Oh, what a touchy subject! This is partly what makes me happy with teaching at the college level, but I am going to have children that will be in the public schools so I should be aware because of that. I think schools should have rules set in place, they should educate their students and parents, and they should really stress the consequences of sexting.
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Dustin Ray
5/4/2014 02:06:00 am
I feel that every thing you do in life has a cnosequence, and that students should be taught better. When you are sending pictures of yourself or others, there should be something in your own head that says no dont do that, but not in society today. I believe that expelling the students is a good way to go about things, and it should show others taht there is a zero tolerence policy.
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Chris Doak
5/4/2014 02:53:15 pm
I don't think the school can do anything to prevent it unless your banning cell phones. I think this is where parents have to step in an take action
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Aaron Shockley
10/26/2014 11:13:05 am
I think that the appropriate consequence for handling situations like these are that the student who receives the picture should not have to face the consequences. I think that the student sending the pic or sending the text should get in school suspension rather than facing federal charges or explosion. I think that more health classes should talk about the proper dynamics of healthy relationships.
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Student BlogThis blog is for class conversations for ED 514 at Central Methodist University. These post are by the students of ED 514. We invite input form other teachers about how they use technology in their classrooms. Archives
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