'Sexting' and Cyber Bullying Surfaces at Pinckneyville HS

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Pinckneyville Community High School principal John Green said this morning that "sexting"--sexual text messages and sexually explicit photographs sent over cell phones-- and cyber-bullying are now a problem not only at his school, but schools all across the nation.

Students at PCHS say the administration and Perry County Sheriff's Department are investigating the most recent "sexting" incident where a student had an explicit photograph of his girlfriend on his cell phone, then forwarded the photograph to other students.

Over time, the photograph was forwarded and jumped from phone to phone. One student reported what was going on to the administration.

Green could not talk about specific incidents nor confirm this one. "It's happened," he said. "I have seen evidence of it."

"You get into issues of child pornography," said Green, even sexual abuse--all felonies.

Generally, Green said "sexting" and cyber bullying are problems. In the latter instance, someone can author a bullying message, hit the "send" button and never have to confront the victim--until maybe the next day in a hallway. Green didn't mince words. Since most parents pay for these phones, when you believe the privilege is being abused, talk to the student or shut down the account.