Cell phones are now pervasive in teen culture and the use of cell phones to send sexually suggestive text messages and images, and texting while driving is common among teens. On the next television broadcast of Teen Connection, a panel of teens and adult experts will discuss how texting can lead to self-sexual exploitation and in other circumstances can put teens in danger while driving an automobile.

While it may be shocking, the act of sexting – sending sexually explicit pictures or suggestive messages of oneself via text message – is not unusual among teens. Approximately, 20 percent of teens admit to participating in sexting, according to a nationwide survey by theNational Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Teen Connection will look at this practice and examine the consequences.

Investigator Jim Valley of the Door County Sheriff’s Department will join the program to discuss teens’ cell phone use and will inform teens how to protect themselves from becoming victims of sexual exploitation. Valley is a member of the Door County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a joint effort between the Door County Sheriff’s Department and the Sturgeon Bay Police Department. Two high school girls also will appear on the program to share their own sexting experiences.

A boy who just graduated high school and is among the 51 percent of teens who say they send text messages while driving also will join the program. Teen Connection will address the consequences of texting while driving, which will soon include traffic fines ranging from $20 to $400 – the same as the fines for inattentive driving – after the bill to ban textingwhile driving signed by Gov. Jim Doyle goes into affect Dec. 1.

Toll-free phone service is provided by Nsight Long Distance.

Host Kathryn Bracho appears courtesy of WBAY-TV/Green Bay.