Sexting Dangers, Part 2 - John Dunn

Its trouble that begins the moment you press send.

More and more teenagers are using their cell phones to send sexually explicit messages and pictures.

Its called sexting, and it can have devastating consequences for your children.

Cell phones have quickly gone from luxury to necessity.

Teenagers will tell you they cant live without them. Most have already mastered texting, but now they could be sexting.

Its all about sending risqu pictures, naughty text messages, or video clips.

If there was ever a doubt about the rise of sexting, just ask a teen.

"It's all over the place - it's very widespread. It's become much more prevalent then you would think," says teenager Christian Clinard.

Christian Clinard has seen it in his own high school.

It involved a girl who sent a provocative picture of herself to her boyfriend, assuming he would keep it private.

"It got all over, people were talking about it, people were coming up to her, she was getting called out, she was being embarrassed," says Clinard.

In a split second your world is across the world," says therapist Bob Coates.

Family therapist Bob Coates says sexting puts todays young people at great risk.

"Just like a bullet out of a gun, once it's gone, you have no control over where it goes," says Coates.

Coates has counseled many patients caught up in sexting, some of whom had their pictures sent from phone to phone and are now suffering from depression.

"The children begin to think I have no hope, I've disappointed my parents I've disappointed my God, I've disappointed myself," says Coates.

One case in Ohio resulted in a high school senior taking her own life after her nude picture, meant for her boyfriend, was forwarded to hundreds of teenagers.

Sexting is a problem that can be found in almost all middle and high schools, and what's even more troubling, it's also showing up in elementary school.

"I've had some cases with as young as 11 or 12 years old," says Det. Jimmy Patterson, with the Putnam County Sheriffs Dept.

Putnam County Sheriffs Det. Jimmy Patterson says he wouldnt be surprised if half of the students in local high schools have sexual images on their phones.

Some may actually catalog photographs and have large collections.

"I had one particular case where a kid had maybe 50 to 75 images on his phone," says Det. Patterson.

Teenagers tell us sexting is often associated with popularity. Boys feel empowered and girls feel special.

"And this is one of those outlets where girls and boys have found that they can get that attention that they need," says teenager Whitney Gregory.

What might seem like a high school issue can have lingering effects. One picture can change everything.

"You could be applying for a job 10 years down the road, your employer Google's your name and up pops this photograph you took when you were 16," says Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Moore.

Therapist Bob Coates says the solution isnt easy, but he believes it starts with teenagers teaching other teens about the consequences.

"That's the only way to really, I think, bring about the change," says Coates.

Theres also another approach, one even some teenagers advocate, that involves parents taking charge.

"I think parents should check their kids phones," says student Daniel Henke.

It may be an eye opening experience. Christian Clinard says it cant come to soon.

"It's happening a lot more than it ever has before," says Clinard.

Police say parents should be willing to take swift action if they suspect sexting.

For example, you may want to take your childs phone away at night, disable text messaging, or buy a phone without a camera.Sexting Dangers, Part 2 - John Dunn