Send kids a message about 'sexting'

The term 'sexting' has become a household name recently as more and more kids get involved with sending nude or seminude pictures of themselves along with provocative messages to friends, crushes, even famous actors or singers whose information they've been able to get ahold of.

While the rate of sexting spikes, the amount of kids getting caught and then disciplined for it has stayed the same, while legal adults are receiving harsher punishments for the same offense. Sending these pictures is a criminal act, though many young adults seem to be unaware of this fact. Legal adults, 18 years of age and older, receive severe punishment for the same offense, while the younger generation receives simply probation, which has proved to be ineffective since most are repeat offenders.

In my opinion, we need to send a message to the younger offenders to get through to them that showing their bodies will only earn them negative attention, humiliation and can put them in serious danger. Possibly setting up a course that offenders need to participate in, similar to the Saturday morning classes for driving offenses, would be an effective way to provide information while also having a hint of punishment.

I suggest interviewing famous actresses or singers who have participated in similar behaviors or sex tapes and now regret it, to show adolescents that something that seems fun and 'innocent' to an extent can have disastrous effects on your life. The celebrities would also reiterate the fact that this behavior is illegal, and that further punishment will be handed down if it continues. This is becoming a serious issue that parents, schools and the law needs to deal with.

Katya Kondratyeva

Naperville