Feb 11, 2009 10:30 am US/Eastern
6 Boys In Mass. May Face 'Sexting' Charges
Could Be Required To Register As Sex Offender
FALMOUTH, Mass. (CBS) ―
A group of boys on Cape Cod have been caught "sexting" - sending naked pictures via text message.
The naked picture in this case was of a 13-year-old girl.
Now, six boys - aged 12-to-14 - may face child pornography charges.
Authorities say a student at the Lawrence School took a nude picture of his 13-year-old girlfriend and then sent that picture to a group of his friends.
School officials somehow discovered what was happening.
The principal immediately called police and confiscated the boys' cell phones.
Police issued a summons on Jan 29th with charges for possessing and distributing material of a child in a sexual act.
Once they're in court, then it will be determined if they'll be formally charged.
Falmouth's superintendent of schools told CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston they are taking the charges very seriously.
Administrators and Falmouth police officer Clifford Harris visited each classroom at the school Wednesday to discuss the situation.
In Massachusetts, anyone found guilty of child pornography must register as a sex offender.
"The law is very serious, it's pretty laid out as far as possession and dissemination of child pornography," Harris told WBZ. "Under 18 a child can't consent."
According to a national survey released in December, 20-percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 19 have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures and video of themselves.
The results were based on an online survey of 653 teenagers during September and October of last year.
"As a kid I probably wouldn't have thought about the ramifications of my actions, but we live in a different day and age," said Harris.
"They have to understand a cell phone is a powerful tool."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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