NYC Department of Education proposes to suspend students that are caught 'sexting'
Friday, June 18th 2010, 4:00 AM
Public school kids soon should think twice before pulling out their cell phones: The city Education Department is set to ban "sexting" - even on students' own time.
Under proposed new rules, kids face suspensions of up to 90 days for texting each other suggestive pictures or notes, even outside school hours.
They also can be booted from class for "cyberbullying" - targeting a victim with nasty texts or online posts.
"This has been a concern around the country," said Education Department spokeswoman Margie Feinberg.
"Each year, we update the disciplinary code with input from parents, students, teachers and some of our partners."
A hearing on the changes is slated for Wednesday.
The changes won praise from some parents, who said the exploding reliance on computers and cell phones has created new discipline problems.
"It empowers the school to be able to address the issue," said Bayside High School PTA President David Solano. He said cyberbullying, in particular, has become an "increasing"
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2010/06/18/2010-06-18_no_more_sext_ed_for_students_under_new_rules.html#ixzz0rDSTCIVJ