Video: The Legal Dangers of “Sexting”

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HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) -Sexting may be the new norm for teens these days, but many don’t know it could get them in trouble with the law.

WCBI’s Jory tally went to the state’s top prosecutor in Houston to find out “sexting consequences.”

Some Colorado High school students could face charges… For texting hundreds of nude pictures to their classmates.

“The penalty for kids that send a nude photograph of themselves is the same statue that we prosecute perverts on. In other words it’s a felony. Punishable by five year minimum, mandatory sentence, 40 year maximum per image. ”

Sexting is a sexual text and with certain phone apps, teens don’t think their scandalous pictures will go public.

Attorney General Jim Hood says sexting pictures can not only bring federal charges…. they can also cause personal damage.

“A lot of kids have some misconceptions about the ethicity of some of these apps that they use. For example Snapchat. They think that the pic is going to disappear, you know so they’ll send a racy photograph of themselves.”

Another reason Hood believes parents and teens should be equally educated on sexting.

“You know, we cant prosecute our way out of this issue with kids. You’ve got to look at prevention and that means educating not only the kids about these issues, but also the parents. I mean parents don’t know that it’s going on in a lot of instances.”

In Houston, Jory Tally WCBI news. >