Combing the words “sex” with “texting” describes the act of someone sending sexually explicit messages or images of themselves electronically - primarily between mobile phones. Images may be posted on the internet or forwarded electronically to other people.

Before you send! 1. Don’t assume what you send will remain private. 2. Cyberspace is permanent - Nothing goes away. 3. Don’t give in to peer pressure. 4. What reaction will you get? 5. Nothing is truly anonymous.

20% of teens say they shared “sexted” pictures with someone when they were asked not to. 40% say “sexting” pictures were shown to them that were supposed to be private.

Your messages and images will get passed around, even if you think they won’t. THINK THINK:

Even after deleting posts, it is impossible to control what other people post about you. Something intended to be fun or flirty, and performed on a whim, will never go away. Potential employers, college recruiters, teachers, coaches, parents, friends, enemies, strangers and others may all be able to find your past posts.

THINK THINK: If you have second thoughts and delete a racy photo, it may already be copied and posted elsewhere.

What percentage of teens say “peer pressure” is the reason they sent or posted sexually suggestive messages and images? -Males:20% -Females:40%

THINK THINK: Your friends may think sexting is cool and do it all the time. Would it be cool if your picture is passed around and everyone looks at it?

It’s easy to be provocative & outgoing on-line… What you write, post or send contributes to the real- life impression you make with other people. 29% of teen boys agree that girls who send such content are “expected to hook-up in real life.” 40% of teen girls who have sent sexually suggestive content did so “as a joke.”

THINK THINK: Just because a message is meant to be funny doesn’t mean the person who gets it will see it that way.

Someone can find you with only your screen name, online profile, phone number or address. Nearly one in five young people who send sexually suggestive messages and images, do so to people they only “know” online.

THINK THINK: People receiving messages may think you want to hook-up sexually and might try to find you.

1. Don’t assume what you send will remain private. 2. Cyberspace is permanent - Nothing goes away. 3. Don’t give in to peer pressure. 4. What reaction will you get? 5. Nothing is truly anonymous.

 Taking, sending or forwarding sexual pictures of an under-aged person, even if they are of you, could result in:  Being removed from sports teams, clubs and/or activities  Revoked educational privileges  Trouble with the law  Humiliation  Taking, sending or forwarding sexual pictures of an under-aged person, even if they are of you, could result in:  Being removed from sports teams, clubs and/or activities  Revoked educational privileges  Trouble with the law  Humiliation

Your explicit picture… May be sent to someone who shouldn’t see it. Cannot be taken back. Could change your life forever.  Never take or send pictures you don’t want everyone to see: -Classmates-Family -Teachers-Employers -Law Enforcement

If you… Forward a sexual picture of someone under the age of 18, you are as responsible as the original sender. You can face… Child pornography charges Jail time Lifetime registration as a sexual offender

RCW 9.68A.070 Possession of depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. A person who knowingly possesses visual or printed matter depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct is guilty of a class B felony. Have to register as a sex offender

Taking a picture and distributing it to embarrass or harass someone. Harassing or threatening text messages. Distributing any pictures after a break-up. I didn’t do anything…

RCW Cyberstalking: A person is guilty if he or she, with intent to harass, intimidate, torment, or embarrass any other person, and under circumstances not constituting telephone harassment, makes an electronic communication to such other person or a third party: -Using any lewd, lascivious, indecent, or obscene words, images, or language, or suggesting the commission of any lewd or lascivious act; -Anonymously or repeatedly whether or not conversation occurs; or -Threatens to inflict injury on the person or property of the person called or any member of his or her family or household. Cyberstalking is a gross misdemeanor, unless qualifications are met for class C Felony charges. "Electronic communication" means the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means and includes electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service and electronic text messaging.

Jessica Logan  Gave a nude photo to a boyfriend when she was 17.  When they broke-up, the boyfriend distributed her photo.  Jessica was laughed at and socially ostracized.  She committed suicide to avoid the on-going shame and torment at school.

Think before you Send! Your Future Depends on it!