Sexting
How One Click Can Ruin
Your Child’s Life
Frederick S. Lane
Boston College
03 March 2011
www.FrederickLane.com
Seminar Overview
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Introduction
Children and Technology
Cyberbullying & Sexting
Emotional and Social Consequences
Legal Consequences
Prevention
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics
Expert
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics
Expert
• Chair, Burlington (VT)
School Board
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics
Expert
• Chair, Burlington (VT)
School Board
• Student Safety &
Privacy Advocate
www.FrederickLane.com
Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
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Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
• 1995 – Web explodes
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Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
• 1995 – Web explodes
• 1996 – Jennicam
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Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
• 1995 – Web explodes
• 1996 – Jennicam
• 2002 – 1st US camera
phone
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Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
• 1995 – Web explodes
• 1996 – Jennicam
• 2002 – 1st US camera
phone
• 2006 – ½ of all cell
phones have cameras
www.FrederickLane.com
Communication
at the Speed of Light
• 1983 – 1st US mobile
call
• 1995 – Web explodes
• 1996 – Jennicam
• 2002 – 1st US camera
phone
• 2006 – ½ of all cell
phones have cameras
• 2008 – 1.9 billion
camera phones
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Kids LOVE Cell Phones
• 2001 ~ An estimated 20% have cell phones
• Cell phone companies discover the teen
market
• By 2006, 40% of teens have cell phones
• By 2009, that figure doubled to 83%
• 20% of kids 6-11 own a phone
• Average age of ownership is now < 10
• 55% say top cell phone activity is texting
www.FrederickLane.com
Amazingly Busy Fingers
• In 2008, U.S. mobile subscribers sent an
astounding 900 billion SMS text messages.
Another 32 billion MMS messages were
sent, a 120% increase over 2007
• An estimated 250 billion digital
photographs were taken with cell phones
• Number of photos and text messages is
expected to rise sharply in years to come
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When Sharing Circles Go Bad
Camera phone
Email / MMS / Social Networking
World Wide Web
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Cyberbullying
The use of the Internet,
cell phones, or other
devices to send or post
text or images
intended to hurt or
embarrass another
person
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Sexting
“The act of sending
sexually explicit
photos, images, or
messages
electronically,
primarily by cell
phone or the Internet”
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Culture & Sexting
• Television &
Movies
• The Internet
• Porn Chic
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Culture & Sexting
• Television &
Movies
• The Internet
• Porn Chic
• Celebrity
Sexting
• Hormones
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The Scope of the Sexting Problem
• Findings of a Fall 2008 study by the
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and
Unplanned Pregnancy:
– 20% of teens 13-19 have sent or posted a nude
photo or video
– 2/3 of those sent the content to a
boyfriend/girlfriend, 15% of whom forwarded it.
– 15% of teens sending nude photos/videos have
sent the content to people they only know
online
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Latest Sexting Stats – April ‘09
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30% of girls 9-15 have “sexted”
Typical age to start sending “sexts” – 12
Typical age to start receiving “sexts” – 10
Reasons for sending a “sext” message?
– To get attention – 82%
– To be cool – 67%
– To be like the popular girls – 60%
– To find a boyfriend – 55%
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WAY Beyond “Kiss and Tell”
• Three Most Common “Sext” Scenarios:
1. Romantic Couple Exchanges Sexts
2. Sext Messages Are Initially Private, but
Are Redistributed by One Individual to
Boast, for Revenge, etc.
3. Individual Solicits Sext as a Prelude to a
Relationship, or As An Offer For One
• No Such Thing As “Casual Sexts”
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Prevention and Education
• Clear School District Policies
– Acceptable Use Policies
– Anti-Harassment and Anti-Cyberbullying
• Student & Parent Education
– Personal Privacy Curriculum
• Staff Training
• Law Enforcement & Legislative
Outreach
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Detection and Response
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Be Aware of What’s Going on in Schools
Notify Parents
Interview Faculty, Staff & Students
Isolate & Lock Down Evidence
Get Legal / Law Enforcement Help ASAP
Follow Established Disciplinary
Procedures
• Use as a Teachable Moment
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Emotional & Social
Consequences
• Short Term:
– Sexual Blackmail
– Bullying, Harassment, & Ostracization
– Embarrassment
• Long Term:
– Depression & Mental Illness
– Loss of Scholarships, Admissions, Jobs
– Self-Injury & Suicide
www.FrederickLane.com
Jesse Logan
• 18 year old high school
senior in Ohio
• Sent nude photos of
herself to her boyfriend
• When they broke up, he
forwarded them to
various high school girls
• Logan was harassed,
taunted, and even
physically assaulted
because of the
photographs
• In July 2008, Logan
committed suicide
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Student Legal Consequences
• School Sanctions:
– Violation of various school policies
– Removal from extra-curriculars or school
• Civil Liability:
– Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
– Invasion of privacy (depending on state)
• Criminal Prosecution:
– Federal child pornography statutes (< 18)
– State child pornography statutes (varies)
www.FrederickLane.com
District Legal Consequences
• Disruption of Educational Activities:
– Possible investigation / seizure of network
• Criminal Liability for Employees:
– Relationship-Based Crimes
– Possession / Distribution of Child Pornography
• Civil Lawsuits
– Failure to provide /maintain a safe environment
– State child pornography statutes (varies)
www.FrederickLane.com
Additional Resources
• CommonSenseMedia.org
• WiredSafety.org
• FBI “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety” -http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pg
uidee.htm
• iKeepSafe.org
• iSafe.org
www.FrederickLane.com
Vermont School Board Assoc.
My thanks to the Vermont School Board
Association and its Associate Director,
Winton Goodrich, for their support of my
trip to the National School Board
Association to make this presentation.
www.FrederickLane.com
Sexting
How One Click Can Ruin
Your Child’s Life
Frederick S. Lane
Boston College
03 March 2011
www.FrederickLane.com