Sexting: A second look

Re “Keeping an eye on ‘sexting,’ ” Editorial, June 1

Your editorial caught my eye. I’ve never truly listened because I did not think the issue of sexting would affect me. After reading the article, I was wrong.

It made me wonder: Are parents regulating cellphone use as much as they used to? I wasn’t allowed to have a cellphone until I was able to drive, and then it was for emergencies only. Nowadays, there are 5- and 6-year-olds with more high-tech cellphones than most grown-ups.

It seems that parents and teachers need to rethink health classes. Maybe discuss ways to be safe and explain that it’s OK to be curious -- but emphasize that there’s a time and place for everything.

Kelly Cochran

Northridge

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The only reason that the estimated 20% of teens partake in sexting is because it has been blown out of proportion by the media. It’s got public attention, it is mildly dangerous because of the growing consequences, and it even has a catchy name.

Left alone, this would be nothing more than a few of the party kids texting each other flashy pictures.

It’s happening, and it will continue to happen. The issue is not something to get up in arms about. There are more important things going on in the world.

Breanna Eastman

Rancho Santa Margarita

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I was taken aback when I read the astonishing statistics about the number of teens who send nude pictures of themselves to others. Why aren’t parents, schools and law enforcement more involved?

Parents should have control of their teens’ actions when it comes to their cellphones; after all, the parents’ names are usually on the cellphone contracts. Why aren’t parents giving their children phones that don’t come with cameras?

I agree: Teens are giving themselves “cyber tattoos” for life. Pictures tend to resurface.

I was especially moved after reading about Jessica Logan. Does it have to take a teen to die in order for someone to start taking action against sexting?

Erin Robinson

Cerritos

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Why can’t the phone companies or service providers offer a digital-rights management, access-type option for sent pictures that prevents resending (forwarding) and even has an expiration date so that the pictures would erase themselves after a week? This could be the default transmission option for teenagers.

Craig R. Wright

Newport Beach