15-year-old Girl, Forced to Leave Her School After a Photo Showing Her Naked was Circulated

'Sexting', sending nude or semi-nude pictures of oneself to others via cell phone, has become increasingly popular among girls Down Under.

The New South Wales cops have revealed that the number of girls taking part in the practice has increased because of the popularity of mobile phone cameras.

"Sexting" is a Big Explosion Down Under
A survey by 'Girlfriend magazine' found that four in 10 readers had been asked to forward a nude photo of themselves.

NSW sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec expressed his apprehension with the rising popularity because young people weren't taking the consequences of their actions into account.

A 15-year-old girl was forced to leave her school after a photo showing her naked was circulated.

"She thought it was all fun and games at the time," the Daily Telegraph quoted Det Kerlatec as saying.

American Teens Do 'Sexting' as a Popular Way to Court the Opposite Sex
Courting lovers seems to have undergone a 360 degree change with present day American teens sending nude photos of themselves to the person they desire.

"No doubt it potentially was - until it turned nasty. She was that embarrassed she had to pack up and leave.

"She's totally ashamed of it," he added.

Supt Kerlatec says that many teenagers engaging themselves in sexting are unaware that they are committing a crime, and that they could be jailed for several years if found circulating child pornography.

Psychologist Dr Marilyn Campbell, from Queensland University of Technology, said that it was parents' responsibility to make their children aware of the dangers, and to monitor their mobile phone and Internet use.

"Schools can help by reinforcing that message," she said.

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens was left embarrassed after a "sexting" in Australia last year. An image of the High School Musical star, showed her smiling and naked.

Source-ANI
SPH