Sexual selfies created by teen texters can result not only in humiliation, but criminal charges, as well.
"Once it's out there, it's there forever," said Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Black. "You can't take it back."
Black oversees the state's side of criminal cases for the 8th Judicial District South, which serves Miller and Lafayette counties in Arkansas. Black said she hopes parents and teens are aware of the potential emotional and legal consequences possible with a single photograph shared via cellphone.
If a minor snaps a revealing selfie and shares it with a friend, the person receiving the photo could be deemed in possession of child pornography. If the person who receives the photo then shares it with others, the sender could be deemed to have distributed child pornography, and those receiving it could be considered in possession of child pornography.
"And once it's all over school, there is no way to get those images back," Black said. "They could also wind up on an Internet site and be viewed by anyone."
Black said such situations can be handled in the juvenile court system. A first offender might receive probation, but a child with a history of criminal infractions could be held in juvenile detention or another such placement, Black said.
If an 18-year-old receives an explicit photo of a younger friend, then the older teen could face state or federal charges in the adult criminal justice system, be sentenced to prison time and be required to register as a sex offender, Black said.
Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle echoed Black's comments.
"While there are numerous defenses to this type of conduct, a criminal conviction for possessing or disseminating child pornography is possible," Rochelle said.
Rochelle said that if a relationship changes from romantic or friendly to contentious or adversarial, a person in possession of an explicit photo might be tempted to share it with others or post it online as a type of "revenge porn."
"It's just not a good idea," Rochelle said. "What takes a second to send can change a life forever."
Black agreed.
"Parents need to talk to their kids about this," Black said. "It's not just a bad idea for moral reasons; it could be criminal."