The Catskill Chronicle

YOUNGSVILLE – The students at Sullivan County BOCES’ Youngsville School had an eye opening discussion with District Attorney Jim Farrell, as he discussed life altering issues like sexting, sexual predators, and gangs.

When asked why he was taking the time to address students, D.A. Farrell stated, “It’s about educating and alerting the students about the dangers involved with making poor decisions and the impact practices like sexting and gangs pose for the rest of their lives.”

The primary focus of the discussion was on sexting and how the practice is becoming more and more prevalent with the use of cell phones, computers and the internet. Today is no longer the day when you write a letter to a person and it only goes to that person. With a simple push of a button someone can send a message to one person to 100 people and even across the world. Technology has the ability to be good or bad, depending on how it is used. A person’s individual choice is the key in determining how technology will affect ones life.

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones. According to recent statistics; 20% of teens are sexting. With that age group 22% are teen girls and 18% are teen boys. This is a practice that is not only limited to teens, 30% of adults have committed a form of sexting at one point or more in their lives. “What people don’t realize”, state Farrell, “You have no control over it. Your friend today may be your enemy tomorrow. You have no idea who that person will send the message to or even who has viewed it.” A simple joke or gesture could lead to a lifetime of misery for the person who took the picture and sent the message or for the person who received the message. “Sexting creates a lifetime of consequences and you can’t take it back,” added Farrell.

D.A. Farrell shocked the students when he spoke about the lifetime of consequences sexting could pose on a person convicted of sexting. If a person is charged with the possession of any form of sexting or if an individual took a picture of themselves and sent it to someone. They can be charged as a criminal. If subject of sexting, is a under the age of 18, it is considered child pornography and all individuals involved will be charged as a sexual predator – A title what you will have for the rest of your life.

The day ended in silence as the students watched videos and listened to stories of how sexting impacted the lives of those involved in that simple joke or gesture. “It’s all about make good choices,” ended Farrell.

The Alternative Education Program at Sullivan BOCES is designed to provide students with an educational environment that provides smaller classrooms and an alternative approach, suited for the student who is not successful in the typical classroom or large school. Students benefit from the increased staff support, team building activities, and community partnership that reinforce academic objectives, as well as social and emotional growth. For more information about the Alternative Education Program at BOCES, please call Linda Blanton, Director of the Alternative Education Program (845) 482-4141.