This week, we wrote on Connie Schultz's Plain Dealer column about teens abusing and harassing each other via text message.

Today, Slate.com's Dahlia Lithwick hit upon the cellphone-porn phenomenon, too. Her disbelief that many teens actually engage in swapping nughty pics via cell phone led her to this study. (.pdf) The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found that a staggering one in five teens has sent a naked cellphone pic of himself or herself.

20% of teens (ages 13-19) trading self-snapped nudes like baseball cards has many consequences. Prosecutors, parents, teachers, judges, and social workers are all trying to stop their heads from spinning. Exactly what the legal ramifications are have not yet been tackled by legislators. They probably don't want to explain to voters why they do or do not want to make little Billy and Katie have to register as sex offenders because of "sexting."

Our take is far easier: teens are facing exposure to sexual situations at a shockingly early age. They need guidance from parents to help decide what actions are appropriate. At the same time, not every parent has the time, the understanding, or the interest in having these conversations with their children. Every teen needs to be taught how to avoid unintended pregnancies and contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Comprehensive, medically-accurate sex education shoud be taught in all our schools. Parents and teachers should work together to be aware of the challenges kids face, and develop lessons designed to teach them how to stay out of trouble.


-Gabriel