Teens Strip Off For Sexting Craze

Thousands of teens are stripping off for the latest disturbing craze to sweep schools – SEXTING.A study has revealed 20 per cent of American teenagers have texted or posted naked or semi-naked pictures or video of themselves online. And the worrying trend has outraged teachers."If I were to go through the cell phones in this building right now of 1,500 students, I would venture to say that half to two-thirds have indecent photos, either of themselves or somebody else in school," said Jim Brown, school resource officer at Glen Este High School, in Cincinnati, Ohio.Nearby Turpin High School Principal Peggy Johnson said she believed the results would be similar – at about 50-50 – in her building. According to the national study, most teens send sexually suggestive content to their boyfriends or girlfriends, while others say they send such material to those they are attracted to or to someone they only know online.But the trend also has worrying implications that blur the lines of of the law. A year ago, a 19-year-old cheerleading coach was charged and prosecuted for taking a topless photo of herself and a 15-year-old girl.And a boy was taken to juvenile court last year for taking explicit photos of his girlfriend. Mr Brown, who is also resource officer at the areas primary school, said of the 14-year-old boy's mobile phone photos: "They were as graphic as you would see in any Penthouse magazine."The study, conducted by Cosmogirl, also showed that 44 per cent of teens say it is common for sexually explicit images and text messages – sexting – to be shared with people other than the intended recipient.