LOUISA CO., Va (WRIC) – Louisa County officials are doing everything possible to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. In April 2014, more than 100 students were busted for sexting. Thousands of pictures and videos of teens has been circulating on social media, most sexually explicit. No one was charged.
“We learned that the message of ‘Hey this is illegal and you shouldn’t do this’ just wasn’t working,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire.
McGuire says most parents didn’t know what apps their kids were using, or the new technology out there.
Since then, leaders have monitored social media accounts closely and are holding a series of internet safety meetings with parents and students.
Thursday night, McGuire held a session on Internet safety at Thomas Jefferson Elementary.
“Educate them of the dangers and risks involved in both from sexual predators as well as the impact it could have on your future,” he said.
“It’s kind of concerning what he’s going to get into or what he’s going to see or say to someone else,” said Gabrielle Littlefield, referring to her son.
Louisa detectives say many of the teens involved in the sexting ring began doing it in middle school, so they are starting to reach out to younger kids.
“The kids have Facebook accounts just to make their parents believe they have accounts. But they’re not using Facebook. They’re using Instagram, Snapchat and KIK and places like that,” said McGuire.
Apps and websites they hope to introduce to parents, and a message to students of all ages:
“Once you send something, you’ve lost control of it,” said McGuire.
“It’s scary. If the children don’t have the proper education of knowledge they don’t know what they’re doing and what trouble it’s going to cause,” said Emily Winslett, a mother.
The county will hold more meetings in the next couple of weeks for parents and older students.
Learn more about Internet safety here.
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
