Feb 11, 2009 9:04 pm US/Eastern
Boys May Face Child Porn Charges For Sexting Photo
FALMOUTH (WBZ) ―
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A group of boys on the Cape has been caught
"sexting" - sending naked pictures via text message.
THE INVESTIGATION
The naked picture in this case was of a 13-year-old girl.
Now, six Falmouth boys - ages 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. 29 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.
CLASSROOM VISITS
Falmouth's superintendent of schools told WBZ 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."
SURVEY: 20% OF TEENS DO IT
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.
A CRIME?
"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."
District Attorney Gerry Leone says there is no lesser charge in Massachusetts that would make sense in this case.
When asked if the state should go back and look at the books and see if there's room for another law, Leone said, "Well, rather than create another law to address this, I'd rather focus on the education and training so the kids avoid and don't do this type of conduct."
Leone said there was a similar texting scandal in Billerica last month. No charges were brought forth in that case.
"I'd much rather have non-criminal ways of doing that and less serious consequences," he said.
What do you think? Should 'sexting' be a crime?
Join the conversation in our
Conversation Nation blog.
Sera Congi and Christina Hager contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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