Sexting scandal at middle school in Wyckoff

Web produced by Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsWYCKOFF, N.J. (WABC) -- A 13-year-old girl took explicit photos of herself and forwarded them to several boys.

You can guess what happened next; they forwarded them to more boys and now the police are involved in this sexting scandal.

Wyckoff police have issued a warning to students at Eisenhower Middle School: delete any explicit photos on your phones by Thursday morning or face child pornography charges.

"We think that by making this a learning experience instead of arresting and charging people that there's a lot to be learned here," said Chief Benjamin Fox, of the Wyckoff Police Department.

Wyckoff Police know that dozens of students have viewed the explicit photos a 13-year-old girl took of herself and then sexted to several boys.

The sext got forwarded around until a teacher heard about it and called police.

"A lot of people are talking about it, it's a big deal now, whoever has that picture now is deleting the picture," said Goldie Felixbrod, a student.

In a letter sent home, police are asking parents to talk to their children about the dangers of sexting.

"I have an 11-year-old son, we're always looking over his shoulder, we keep him busy all the time, and that would never happen in my house," said Kevin Kohler, a parent.

Officials recommend that parents check their teenagers' photos and texts.

"I check my children's phones, I check the computers, I try to talk to them," said Tricia Dugan, a parent.

Julia's mother checks her phone every night.

I put my phone on her desk and she can check it, so I don't care because I don't have much to hide," said Julia Sancetta, a 7th grader.

But other parents expressed reservations about reading what some teens feel amounts to a modern-day diary.

"I try not to invade their privacy, but maybe I should be doing more of that," said Jim Fuhrman, a parent.

There was a similar incident in Wyckoff three years ago and this has been an issue in schools all over the country.

Police say it's always worth a reminder to warn your child about the dangers of sexting.

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