Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott continues to offer more warnings after visiting the National Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH) on February 8, 2010 to promote the dangers of teen sexting.
Sexting is the rising observance of teens electronically sending sexually explicit messages or images, primarily between cell phones.
NTDAH offers teens the only 24-hour help line in the United States where trained teen advocates counsel fellow teens about digital harassment.
Abbott encouraged Texas teens to contact NTDAH when they encounter peer pressure to participate in sexting.
“No teenager should succumb to peer pressure and be convinced that sexting is harmless or okay,” said Abbott. “It is not.”
“When you are young, it is sometimes hard to understand the lasting implications of your actions, but the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline can provide our children with the positive encouragement and guidance they need to respond to these challenges,” Abbott stated.
“Fortunately, NTDAH and its trained teen advocates are working to counsel young Texans and help fellow teens learn to avoid the peer pressure, shame and damages associated with sexting,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Young Texans should never send a revealing or explicit picture of themselves.”
“Once an image has been sent, it cannot be controlled,” the Attorney General added. “A single instance of bad judgment can lead to long-term regret, embarrassment or worse. Anyone who possesses sexually suggestive pictures of a minor faces criminal investigation and up to 10 years in prison.”
The Attorney General’s office offers these five tips, teens should consider before pressing “Send:”
• Do not assume anything sent or posted is going to remain private.
• Anything sent or posted in cyberspace will never truly go away.
• Do not give in to the pressure to do something that causes discomfort, even in cyberspace.
• Consider the recipient’s reaction.
• Nothing is truly anonymous.
The owner of a computer or cell phone containing images of nude or semi-nude minors can be investigated and prosecuted for possessing and distributing child pornography charges – a felony.
Teens in possession of sexually suggestive images of classmates or companions under 18 could face up to 10 years in prison.
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