Feedback at 5:00- Policing Sexting in Schools - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Feedback at 5:00- Policing Sexting in Schools

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School officials in Troy believe "sexting" is getting out of control and they just passed policy that puts students on notice that their phones, laptops and other electronic devices could be searched.

The school board policy says the searches may happen if there's "reasonable suspicion" of sexting, and local authorities may be contacted.

Sexting means texting or emailing sexually explicit pictures or text, and it's pervasiveness may surprise you. A national survey reported that one in five teenage girls have electronically sent a nude or semi-nude picture of themselves or posted one online.  

A University of Michigan study found that 43 percent of 18-24 year-olds had sent or received sexually explicit material on their phones.

The American Civil Liberties Union is skeptical of the new policy at Troy's schools, and believes students' privacy may be at risk.

What do you think? Can schools police sexting?

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