Dozens of high school students have been suspended in Colorado and New York amid complaints of sexting—or exchanging of explicit photos, videos and messages through the use of cell phones—among students.
Students as young as eighth grade at Canon City High School in Colorado were found to be taking and sharing explicit photos using secret phone apps.
An investigation is ongoing after concerned people who saw the photos contacted school officials, according to CBN News.
"We hope that this unfortunate situation will shed light on this trend amongst young people; and open the conversation between schools, students, parents and communities about the proper use of technology; as well as the legal and emotion consequences of its misuse," according to a statement issued by the school board, KKTV 11 News reported.
The school board assured parents and students that they will take care of the problem.
"We want everyone to know that despite the mistakes that have been made, each child will be loved, cared for and shown respect," the school board statement said.
In Kings Park, New York, dozens of students were suspended by the Kings Park Central School District for allegedly texting or viewing sexually explicit videos of other students.
One of them was the son of one of the complainants, Andrew Fenton. "It's impossible to believe that your son could get into trouble because somebody forwarded a video to his phone that he has no control over receiving it," he said.
Students approached by school authorities said sexting was a common practice but only a few knew it was a crime.
"You don't actually think about it until it actually comes up. We're young, we're stupid, we're going to do things like that," said one student.
District attorney Greg Brauchler for the 18th Judicial District said, "So much of the time, technology outpaces policy and I think that's what we're seeing here."
Prosecutors in Colorado said they will use common sense in deciding the charges against the students while lawmakers are thinking of turning sexting charges into misdemeanors.
In Arapahoe County, teens who will get into trouble over sexting need to attend an all-day Saturday class with parents.
A 2012 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association said more than half of the teens have been asked to send nude photos of themselves, and one in four teens has done so.
