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California Considers Expelling Kids for Sexting
Filed under: In The News, Media
Students in California can face expulsion for sexting. Credit: Getty Images
He could get expelled, NBC News reports.
The California Assembly is considering a bill to enable schools to expel students who send naughty pictures on their cell phones. The bill passed the state Senate June 7.
The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, and defines sexting as "sending or receiving sexually explicit pictures or videos electronically."
That leaves some gray areas, NBC reports.
For example, could a student be expelled for sending photos of a Playboy centerfold or other body parts other than his or her own? What if the offense occurred off school grounds?
There could be a lot of empty seats in class if school officials nab everyone. Studies show as many as one in five California teenagers have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures and videos online, according to NBC.
Lieu tells the network that high school students have enough hormone-related problems without adding sexting to the mix.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union opposes the bill as an assault on teenagers' freedom of expression and right to privacy.
Do you think teens should be expelled for sexting? Join the discussion on Facebook!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
6-09-2011 @ 8:36AM
Rayne said...I think it's a pretty fitting punishment. I mean, especially if they're sending dirty pictures of themselves. Not only is it wrong, but it's illegal and many courts would find them guilty of distributing child pornography.
Reply
6-08-2011 @ 8:16PM
Jerome Crosson said...Do something about the real problem: ban cell phones from the classroom ! Then suspend those who bring the phone into class; expel for the third offense. Make the parents take responsibility for their spoiled darlings - ain't that an idea ?
Reply
6-08-2011 @ 10:19PM
Carolyn said...Most schools do ban cell phone use, but it's almost impossible to enforce it. In my division, students have their phones confiscated and they're only returned when a parent picks it up. Often, the parents become furious with the teacher who takes the phone. If you're waiting for parents to be accountable for their children's behavior, I hope you're not holding your breath.
6-09-2011 @ 12:50AM
holly rae said...Have we forgotten that cell phones are an important commuication device? I send my 8 year old child to school with a cell phone for safty reasons and a lot of other parents do also. When I was in high school on my way to school years ago, I had a necklace snatched off my neck. I had a cell phone, but I was banned from bringing it to school, so it was at home. I had to walk a long time to find a pay phone so that I could call the cops. I wish I had broken the rules back then and brought my cellphone to school that day. Ever since then, I never left home without my cellphone.
6-09-2011 @ 2:40AM
Rebecca said...Sexting can be a criminal act. Often pictures are sent. Sending pronography to a minor or of a minor is a crime. Sexting is part of that crime. Kids need to understand the consequences of such a crime. Several middle and high schools are educating kids about this crime. Since the kids are told up front about the rule/law, they should be punished. They are old enough to know better and should be subject to the consequences...a citation, court, and being expelled. And...no, a parent cannot control what their child does without their knowledge. Many parents are not aware of kids alternative myspace or facebook accounts. Kids are more educated on techonology than most of their parents. Most people are not aware how good kids are about texting in the classroom without the teacher even realizing the cell phone is out. Kids don't have to look at their phone to text. They do it right under the desk and no one is the wiser. Therefore, keep in mind of the kid who sends a photo of your little girl changing in the locker room to everyone on their distrubution list before you judge. Once the damage is done, it cannot be taken back. That little girl, who might be a 6th grader, is damaged for a long time.
6-09-2011 @ 4:00AM
Courtney said...first parents are spoiling their kids way too much these days, im nineteen and didnt have a cell phone until i was in 8th grade and even then we werent allowed to text. Parents these days just want to make theyre kids feel good and special and while that is important they need to draw the line and stop letting their kids get away with whatever they want just because they love them.
Rebecca: the frontal cortext doesnt fully develop until you are 25 which means that kids in 5-9 grade have next to no idea what it really means to have consequences because they cant actually see things that far ahead. Its been proven by numerous studies. All they have to do to get rid of sharing images and videos is disable the internet on the phone, then you cant send or receive pictures.
6-09-2011 @ 9:21AM
John Grundstrom said...That is a wonderful suggestion. Why do school children, and yes up to seniors, need a cell phont in school, if it is an emergency, there are phones there.
6-09-2011 @ 12:00PM
cesarvis said...I agree 100% actually I ahppen to believe that kids DO NOT NEED cell phones.
6-08-2011 @ 8:37PM
Kirsten said...What kind of school allows kids to have cell phones on school grounds?
Reply
6-08-2011 @ 9:52PM
jeffstorrs said...just about every school!!
6-09-2011 @ 1:58AM
lold said...The kid should have ( on his/her person) BOOKS and wrtiing implements and other LEARNING TOOLS
NO PHONE
NO iPOD
NO GAME BOY
NO BEEPER
etc ecyc etc
If a parent wants to reach the kid - CALL THE PRINICIPLES OFFICE and let someon come get the kid. It shouod ONLY be for EMERGENCY CALLS
It is a mirical that kids survived school in the 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's without a cell phone and texting
OMG
we need to take control of our schools and our children for gods sake
6-09-2011 @ 8:52AM
Jayne said...6-09-2011 @ 1:58AM
lold said...
The kid should have ( on his/her person) BOOKS and wrtiing implements and other LEARNING TOOLS
NO PHONE
NO iPOD
NO GAME BOY
NO BEEPER
etc ecyc etc
If a parent wants to reach the kid - CALL THE PRINICIPLES OFFICE and let someon come get the kid. It shouod ONLY be for EMERGENCY CALLS
It is a mirical that kids survived school in the 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's without a cell phone and texting
OMG
we need to take control of our schools and our children for gods sake
________
It is very obvious to me that you did not partake in the education that schools are giving. While you do make a good point, it becomes muddled by your use of grammar and spelling.
6-09-2011 @ 2:55PM
mccabes860 said...This isn't exactly to Kirsten but farther in the thread to Iold....as I was reading your commentary I was thinking exactly the same thing....it's a positive miracle that any of us over the age of 50 made it through school or life for that matter at all.......we actually were able to survive without immediately telling one of our friends that "so and so is walking towards me at this very minute OMG" or something equally stupid. They absolutely should ban all cell phone use in school as for the rare occassion that they may offer some benefit it's simply not worth it. Parents need to wake up and take control of their kids....parenting is a pain in the you know what but if you don't want to invest the time and effort it takes to raise them then don't have kids
6-08-2011 @ 9:05PM
Dbone Garms said...All people who made it through the 1st 12 years of school, had something working the challeged adults. Sexting is Today! Just like possing with a Joint in the mouth, was in the 70s. It isn't correct but at least Parents can investigate and confirm wether or not their child is Gay, or is headed into prostitution, or taking a dare for a favor, etc. A cell phone allows you to investigate your childrens behavior and make/take the corrective actions as needed. It is nothing more than a spy device for Parents. We only have until their 18 to assist them, after that, the law is in charge!
Reply
6-08-2011 @ 8:30PM
italy said...OK, so lets look at this: Schools "might" consider Expelling kids for sexting" What ever happed to "getting a education"?? WHY aren't the schools collecting the cell phones and other gadgets at the front door in their classroom??? - In Europe the "Students" do not have cell phones in their classrooms - and guess who has the higher education - dah - look at our generation folks - Parents get off your butts and simply take the cell phones etc, etc away from your "kids" during school days - oopppps - that might mean they would actually learn something and even learn how to speak!! Gee a real education
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6-08-2011 @ 8:42PM
Rebecca said...While i agree with what you said, i also have to say that my son has a phone he takes to school because sometimes i need to contact him on a change of plans, take the bus, wait for a ride, etc. and can't just run to the school every time. I would say that there SHOULD be harsh punishments for using them in class, sexting, etc. and if that were the case, my son would have a BOATLOAD of trouble with me at home, also. As to the ACLU, sexting of underage children is defined by law as CHILD PORN and should be dealt with harshly, no ifs, ands or buts. No one should have freedom to do things that are against the law, teens or otherwise, and if that's how my teen uses his freedom, he clearly DOESN"T DESERVE IT. Also, my son has NO right to privacy as long as i pay the bill and he lives in my house, suck it up!!
6-09-2011 @ 8:43AM
billy112140 said...That would mean having common sense italy. There seems to be a great lack of common sense in this country. "I can do anything i want" is personal law of our youth today. I think a lot of parents think like that too.
6-08-2011 @ 8:38PM
dougalcandy said..."There could be a lot of empty seats in class if school officials nab everyone."
If that statement is true, then there really is a serious problem. Are that many teenagers that stupid that a huge amount are engaged in sexting? Forget whether or not they are doing it in school, if they are doing it anywhere, there is something wrong.
Right to privacy and freedom of expression ? The way I see it, if they are sending sexy pictures of themselves, they have already given up their privacy. Parents, where are you???
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 1:15PM
Chris said...This is utterly insane. If you want to stop them sexting, take away their phones and/or block have their phone service ended. We need to keep as many kids as possible in school, not out. 3/4 of the people in prison are people who didn't graduate high school. What do these idiots think is going to happen to these kids outside of school. They're going to join gangs or engage in other delinquent behavior. If they go through with this, they quite likely will hurt far more kids in far more serious ways than the sexting will. Don't end these kids lives and opportunities over childhood indescretions.
Reply
6-08-2011 @ 9:09PM
Angiebaby said...If a kid gets caught on their cell phone at school, the teacher should take the phone until the end of the day. Second time, the teacher takes the cell phone and returns it during a parent-teacher conference. Third time, the teacher takes the cell phone and the kid gets it back at the end of the school year.
Reply