Moline police were called to investigate a suspected sexting incident discovered by administrators at Moline High School. According to the Moline-Coal Valley School District Superintendent David Moyer, administrators determined it didn't happen at school, so they turned the matter over to police.
On Wednesday, police explained in a news release that nude photos of female students were shared on cell phones with fellow students and then sent to a larger group of students. Police talked to the girls who had sent the photos and their families, as well as students who had the images on their phones.
Police determined that the girls involved sent the pictures to a friend, but later discovered the images had been passed around. After a review of the circumstances, police say this incident does not appear to be criminal in nature. The superintendent says the students did not understand the potential consequences and penalities involved with sexting.
"I don't think the children understand the potential long term consequences of this type of thing," says Dr. Moyer, "I think they're so used to everything being instantaneous and compulsive that they don't even think or realize the extent of what they're doing is wrong."
Both police and the school district are working on a plan to educate students about sexting. Officials at Moline schools are reviewing their current policy and will make changes.
"We're looking at ways to be more effective with getting the message out and trying to influence their decision making," adds Dr. Moyer, "We're examining some options that will hopefully include parents in the process and see if was can explain to them some of the different things that are out there."
In some cases sexting can lead to child pornography charges. However, authorities investigate incidents of sexting on a case by case basis.
