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Phone photo issues found
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TIDELAND NEWS
JIMMY WILLIAMS
Thanks to rapidly improving technology, that photo your child is texting could end up being seen by a lot of people, for a long time.
For many youngsters, that sense of widespread permanence in the age of the World Wide Web doesn’t compute. And that is one of many cell phone issues that has Chris André, Swansboro High School principal, worried.
“It’s something that has been a long-time coming,” she said, referring to the advancements in digital photography. “We know kids text … this is the next phase.”
Specifically, most all cell phones are capable of taking high-quality photos – whether it’s a racy self-portrait or a snapshot of a history test.
What a child may not understand is that the cell-phone photo she sends to her boyfriend’s phone – intended to be private – can’t be easily taken back. Referred to as “sexting,” the photo could end up shared or even posted on the Web, according to André.
“They (children) just don’t think about what happens with it,” she said.
As the mother of a 5-year-old, André said she knows how important it is for parents to understand what might be going on with their children.
While no charges have been filed as a result of cell phone use at SHS, the principal said, “We have had to look at some things,” in terms of sexting. “I’d like to say, the pictures don’t occur here at school.”
While declining to be more specific, André offered some advice to parents.
“Parents need to look at the Myspace account … the digital pictures … the texts,” she said. (Myspace is a social networking Internet site where children and adults post personal Web pages.)
A photo posted on the Web could lead to a variety of problems for a young person, according to André.
Not only could it be embarrassing to those involved, it could constitute a crime, according to Ed Parrish, chief of the Swansboro Police Department.
“There are several crimes that could be involved, depending on the age of the people involved,” he said.
Simply sending a racy picture, depending on what it shows, could be considered a violation of North Carolina laws involving pornography.
“We have not had an active case yet,” said Parrish. “(But) there have been reports of some.
“It’s becoming as popular as texting.”
For now, André said school officials are “feeling our way” in dealing with the explosion in technology. Current policy calls for taking cell phones from students who may be using them in an inappropriate manner on campus. The school then calls parents to make arrangements for their return.
André has seen all sorts of issues with cell phones in her tenure at the high school and at Swansboro Middle School. This school year alone, between 200 and 300 student cell phones have been confiscated and returned.
She also said most of the problems encountered at the school involve younger students, freshmen and sophomores.
“Maturity plays a role,” André explained. The younger students seemed to be more caught up in the “cool thing” while juniors and seniors are looking forward to getting into a good college.
“We’re trying to be pro-active with our younger group,” she added. “We’re targeting our freshmen.”
On the schedule at SHS is a program for freshman by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to explain the potential for problems from posting information on the Web.
Advancements in communication have opened up the world. And André said it is a positive thing.
“We just need to be aware,” she said. “It scares parents sometimes, but you have to know what’s happening.”
Thanks to rapidly improving technology, that photo your child is texting could end up being seen by a lot of people, for a long time.
For many youngsters, that sense of widespread permanence in the age of the World Wide Web doesn’t compute. And that is one of many cell phone issues that has Chris André, Swansboro High School principal, worried.
“It’s something that has been a long-time coming,” she said, referring to the advancements in digital photography. “We know kids text … this is the next phase.”
Specifically, most all cell phones are capable of taking high-quality photos – whether it’s a racy self-portrait or a snapshot of a history test.
What a child may not understand is that the cell-phone photo she sends to her boyfriend’s phone – intended to be private – can’t be easily taken back. Referred to as “sexting,” the photo could end up shared or even posted on the Web, according to André.
“They (children) just don’t think about what happens with it,” she said.
As the mother of a 5-year-old, André said she knows how important it is for parents to understand what might be going on with their children.
While no charges have been filed as a result of cell phone use at SHS, the principal said, “We have had to look at some things,” in terms of sexting. “I’d like to say, the pictures don’t occur here at school.”
While declining to be more specific, André offered some advice to parents.
“Parents need to look at the Myspace account … the digital pictures … the texts,” she said. (Myspace is a social networking Internet site where children and adults post personal Web pages.)
A photo posted on the Web could lead to a variety of problems for a young person, according to André.
Not only could it be embarrassing to those involved, it could constitute a crime, according to Ed Parrish, chief of the Swansboro Police Department.
“There are several crimes that could be involved, depending on the age of the people involved,” he said.
Simply sending a racy picture, depending on what it shows, could be considered a violation of North Carolina laws involving pornography.
“We have not had an active case yet,” said Parrish. “(But) there have been reports of some.
“It’s becoming as popular as texting.”
For now, André said school officials are “feeling our way” in dealing with the explosion in technology. Current policy calls for taking cell phones from students who may be using them in an inappropriate manner on campus. The school then calls parents to make arrangements for their return.
André has seen all sorts of issues with cell phones in her tenure at the high school and at Swansboro Middle School. This school year alone, between 200 and 300 student cell phones have been confiscated and returned.
She also said most of the problems encountered at the school involve younger students, freshmen and sophomores.
“Maturity plays a role,” André explained. The younger students seemed to be more caught up in the “cool thing” while juniors and seniors are looking forward to getting into a good college.
“We’re trying to be pro-active with our younger group,” she added. “We’re targeting our freshmen.”
On the schedule at SHS is a program for freshman by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to explain the potential for problems from posting information on the Web.
Advancements in communication have opened up the world. And André said it is a positive thing.
“We just need to be aware,” she said. “It scares parents sometimes, but you have to know what’s happening.”
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
Pirate parent wrote on Feb 22, 2009 1:32 AM:
" I have seen the pics with my own eyes. I am a Pirates parent and was SHOCKED at the pics i saw sent to my kid from others kids not just from Swansboro but from other schools.
I took there phone and happen to check up on my kid when i found the cell pics. So i cut the texting off there phone.That is all you have to do and if they want to talk to anyone they will have to call them the old fashion way.
We have the power and i don't care if my kid likes me or not but the have to obey the rule and themselves "
I took there phone and happen to check up on my kid when i found the cell pics. So i cut the texting off there phone.That is all you have to do and if they want to talk to anyone they will have to call them the old fashion way.
We have the power and i don't care if my kid likes me or not but the have to obey the rule and themselves "
Kay wrote on Feb 22, 2009 12:26 PM:
" HOW sad~! My friend's granddaughter sat during Christmas and had nothing to do with anyone, but texted the whole time. Maybe the Lewis family should let the Dad have some say so in his daughter's life, for he his a wonderful Father that actually pays child support and takes part in her life.....good job Ronnie Holden~! "
taildrag wrote on Feb 23, 2009 1:48 PM:
" This is really scary!
I'd hate to have a teacher's responsibility today. Remember when the chief violations were chewing gum in class, tardiness, and such things? That all seems trivial now.
And the poor parents! Like the teachers, they can't look over a child's shoulder all day or night.
Imagine getting punished in school for "sexting" such photos? That should prove a great reference for college (or any other) applicants.
I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours?
Gawd help us all!
Smile! You're on.................. "
I'd hate to have a teacher's responsibility today. Remember when the chief violations were chewing gum in class, tardiness, and such things? That all seems trivial now.
And the poor parents! Like the teachers, they can't look over a child's shoulder all day or night.
Imagine getting punished in school for "sexting" such photos? That should prove a great reference for college (or any other) applicants.
I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours?
Gawd help us all!
Smile! You're on.................. "
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Ring Ring... wrote on Feb 18, 2009 7:17 PM: