Sexting Policy Analysis: Recommending Policy Changes for Utah School Districts

Sexting, sending semi-nude or nude material via texts, plagues adolescents as the newest form of sexual expression. A 2009 survey from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy revealed that 20% of teens reported sending nude or semi-nude photos through text messaging. Sexting creates dangerous consequences for minors like digital permanence, cyber bullying, and sexual harassment. Currently, school districts must protect students from sexting's harmful consequences while avoiding legal liability for regulation and control. This analysis seeks to identify which best practices Utah School Districts should implement to decrease sexting and cyber harassment among minors, while reducing legal liability for controlling sexting incidents. After identifying key stakeholders and decision makers, objective criteria were used to measure and compare each best practice policy option. Such criteria included, ability to improve school district compliance with current sexting laws; ability to prevent school district or administrative liability; ability to incorporate the participation of community members, parents, school officials, and law enforcement; ability to improve prevention methods; and ability to be cost effective. Based on such criteria, final evaluation recommended a team approach to sexting control and regulation. The teach approach involves parents, school personnel, and resource officers in the prevention and initial response to sexting incidents. Also, the team approach advances fair and appropriate legal outcomes for children involved in sexting, while protecting school districts from legal liability. Working with schools, through the team approach, to ensure that personnel understand and comply with sexting laws will further reduce legal liability.