The Miami-Dade school district wants to be a national leader in combating teenage ''sexting,'' the practice of sending sexy or nude photos over a cellphone.
On Thursday, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said he would like to work with government and law enforcement agencies to develop a cutting-edge School Board policy -- and preach the dangers of sending racy pictures.
''This is to protect kids, to make them aware of the legal implications of some of their virtual transactions,'' Carvalho said.
Because ''sexting'' can be considered pornography, young people who send pictures of themselves or their classmates can be charged with a felony.
In Pennsylvania, six teenagers were recently hit with child pornography charges. A teen in Brevard County was forced to register as a sex offender.
If approved by the School Board, the Miami-Dade district's approach to sexting will be comprehensive, said Assistant Superintendent Ava Byrne.
First, school officials will develop a curriculum to be initiated this school year educating students about the issue. The lessons will be designed for students based on their age, Byrne said. Younger students, for example, might learn about the appropriate use of technology, or respect for themselves and their peers.
Additionally, teachers will receive special training, Byrne said.
Parents will be involved, too. The district plans to develop special strategies for them.
''Parents may not know how to initiate the conversation with their children,'' Byrne said.
Mindy Gould, who heads the Miami-Dade Council of PTAs/PTSAs, said she welcomes the opportunity to work with the district on the issue.
''As parents, we have to realize this is something that's going on,'' she said. "I'm glad the district is taking a strong position.''Sexting is rampant among U.S. teens: One in five said they had sent nude photographs or videos of themselves, according to a survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
What's more, about half the teenagers surveyed said it was common for sexually explicit photos to get passed around among friends.
Teenagers -- and preteens -- communicate with each other through text messages. Many send photos of themselves to their friends.
In Miami-Dade, district policy allows kids to have cellphones in schools, but they must be turned off during classes.
The school system is one of a handful raising awareness about sexting, Carvalho said.
In Broward County, the school district's code of conduct warns that use of a camera phone may result in additional consequences beyond confiscation if used to take pictures that are pornographic or obscene.
Broward School Board member Robin Bartleman brought up the issue earlier this year at meetings on the code of conduct and asked that the district make an effort to educate students on the consequences of sexting.
''They shouldn't be doing it anyway,'' she said. "They need to know that there are serious penalties.''
The Miami-Dade School Board will take a formal vote on the proposed policy at its meeting Wednesday.
If the policy is approved, the district will also begin conversations with local law enforcement and government agencies to review the existing laws. School system officials hope to put together policy recommendations, too.
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