'SEXTING' Unsettling trend hits home with LMS parents

pat@valleybreeze.com

LINCOLN - Lincoln Middle School Principal Bruce Macksoud told a gathering of parents last Thursday that in the past three weeks, he's become aware of 10 students who sent nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves by cell phone.

It's called "sexting," he said.

Lincoln High School Resource Officer David Waycott called it "the number-one threat in our community."

"It's a new phenomenon with dire consequences," said Lincoln High School Principal Kevin McNamara, adding that kids who send nude pictures of themselves could suffer long-term consequences, including jail.

They might have child pornography charges made against them, he said, adding that they would then have to register as sex offenders.

There have been no reported instances at the high school, said McNamara.

For those who might be thinking "not my kid," Macksoud said each child who had done sexting at the middle school that he has talked to is "a great kid with supportive parents." They just made "very poor decisions," he said.

Saying that the school district wanted to be pro-active, Macksoud said invitations were mailed to Lincoln parents with high school and middle school students urging them to attend a presentation billed as "Safe in Cyber Space."

Advocates for cyberspace safety gathered last Thursday night in the Lincoln Middle School auditorium.

Other speakers at the presentation included retired Lt. John Reis and Lincoln School Resource Officer Michael Cavanaugh.

About 50 parents and a dozen students attended the 90-minute, interactive presentation which included other topics such as online bullying and predators.

Also on tap was a slideshow titled "Safe in Cyber Space."

While the Internet is a useful tool, it also presents dangers, especially to children, explained McNamara.

According to sexting statistics, 19 percent of teens surveyed believe that sexting is "no big deal."

Macksoud said "older boys wanted pictures of younger girls." He also noted that the girls he spoke to who did the sexting believed that the only people seeing the images were the persons they were sending them to.

Cavanaugh noted that both girls and boys sent pictures. He said it's "baffling" that kids aren't scared about "showing off their bodies."

The parents of the kids who did the sexting were notified. The police were able to delete the pictures, said school officials.

The kids don't realize that absolutely everything they put on the Internet can be "seen" if someone chooses to look.

One of the key things each speaker kept returning to was that parents should not let their children have computers in their own rooms and that stricter limits should be imposed on home computers.

"Check the history in the trash bin. Be vigilant," said Waycott, adding that the goal is to keep kids safe.

Macksoud said he thinks it's important that middle school students get to see a similar presentation for their age level.

McNamara said that would be determined shortly.

Bob Chiarillo, the parent of a daughter at the school, spoke out.

"This was a great presentation that should really get to the children, as well."

The audience applauded his comment.

"Once kids see the ramifications, maybe they'll go home and delete their pictures," he said.

"I wish more parents attended," said Chiarillo's wife, Jackie.

Lee Ann Brigido said she was shocked to learn about sexting. She thought the presentation was informative. "Kids need to be made aware of the consequences," she said.

Melody Rodrigues has a 13-year-old daughter in middle school. Though she knew about sexting, she wanted to get as much information as she could. Her daughter doesn't have a cell phone and she's not getting one, she said.

Of the presentation, she said, "Kids need to hear it."

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