What may start out as a joke could end up as a blemish on your record and/or reputation. At least that’s what some curious teenagers are finding out.  The effects of a sexting fad are being felt nationwide and parents, school administrators and state officials can’t seem to agree on a solution.

Teenagers, technology and danger have always gone hand in hand.  Add today’s real time technology to that equation and things can quickly get out of hand.

The latest craze, sexting, involves a willing teenager and a cell phone camera.  The teen poses for a sexually suggestive photo and then distributes it by email to select teenage classmates.  And that’s where the problem really begins.  This behavior is bad enough, but once the photos are emailed, they are in the public domain and there is no way to re-call or control them.  Most end up on the internet, where they live forever.

Many teenagers, underestimating the power of today’s real-time technology, have made a mess of their lives without intention.  And authorities are divided on how to deal with this issue.  Prosecute? - Educate?

Seems just as teenagers are educated about email and internet safety, cell phone safety including the risks of sexting should become a priority.  

Any thoughts on this fad?  What’s the right answer?

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