Teen Sexting Focus Of Conference In Gloucester County [POLL]

CONVERSATION TOPIC: Do you talk to your kids about sexting? Discuss it now.

One in five teens have sent sexually explicit photos or videos from their cell phones, and a third received such images, according to data from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

New Jersey’s law enforcement officials are working closely with educators, parents and students to address the new state law aimed at curbing “sexting.”

Hundreds of people packed Gloucester County College as detectives from the High Tech Crimes Unit gave a presentation on cyber-bullying, sexting and other security measures parents should be following when dealing with the internet and social media.

“This presentation is especially relevant in light of last Friday’s conviction of a Rutgers student for turning technology into abusive treatment, which is one of the potential results of sexting,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton.

The law takes effect April 1st and will offer another option in prosecuting juveniles arrested for sexting by providing education rather than criminal penalties.

“We want to make sure they get educated and they know how to handle it,” said Megan, a mom of two 13-year-old boys from Woodbury Heights.

“My kids have YouTube, Facebook, they are online, but I do monitor what they are doing.”

A group of residents from a neighborhood watch in Mantua also attended the conference.

“It’s always good for us to bring this back to other neighbors in our community. There is something we are missing here and we all need to be educated, so maybe this will motivate more parents to get involved and strengthen our community,” said a woman from the group.

“There is a lot that all of us have to learn…how do we handle it in the home, how do teachers deal with it, then how do police enforce the law, I think its going to take some time before everything understands it and works together,” said Phil, a father from Deptford.