By Jack Kelly, Business Editor
Textbooks were being pulled out of bags at the beginning of SMART period last Monday, when, to the surprise of the many hoping to prep for their AP Chem exam, all of the junior boys were called to the theater. The boys walked to the meeting, confused as to why their study period was being taken away.
“I didn’t know what was happening,” said junior Sam Chowning.
Principal Danny Rock called the meeting to discuss a growing trend among high school students: sexting. If you are not aware of the term, sexting involves the sending and receiving of sexually explicit messages, mostly commonly via text or Snapchat.
Mr. Rock had received an anonymous alert raising concerns that a group of junior boys were collecting and sharing such explicit photos on a flash drive. He saw this incident as an opportunity to address the junior class on cultural leadership and the issue of sexting.
While there are major legal ramifications surrounding the practice, often the sending of nude photos to a significant other is considered part of a modern relationship.
“I think many people do it as an authentic intent of intimacy,” said Mr. Rock. “They are trying to express trust and feelings that they have for someone else that are real.”
However, consent is paramount. When two people exchange explicit photos, it is implied that there is trust and understanding between the couple. Consent is breached when photos are saved onto a flash drive and distributed to friends, and thus, according to Mr. Rock, we have a major issue.
“Consent is the bedrock of every act of relationship that builds trust,” said Mr. Rock. “Without consent, it is the difference between intimacy and trafficking child pornography.”
According to the law, that difference can be immense.
“A person who communicates with a minor for immoral purposes is guilty of a class C felony,” states Chapter 9 of Washington State Legislation. “Maximum sentence … for a class C felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for five years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of ten thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine”
Mr. Rock saw this issue as a chance to remind the juniors of the unique role that they play.
“Tenth grade is becoming a much more clear time in the Vashon High School progression where culture is passed down from the upperclassmen to the underclassmen,” said Mr. Rock.
While the seniors are focused on their lives beyond high school, the juniors are in a position of influence. Freshmen and sophomores often look to their older peers as role models.
“Most High School relationships aren’t super long term and sometimes they end well and sometimes they end poorly,” says Ms. Vanslow “Once you put it out there you have zero control over it.”
According to Mr. Rock and Ms. Vanslow, before a student shares a private conversation with their peers, they should take a second to think about if they really want to risk the dangers of sexting, and how that decision may influence classes to come.