May 23, 2009
Superintendent asks parents to talk with children about ‘sexting’
By Julie Sly
Herald editor
Dom Puglisi, superintendent of Catholic schools, said school officials “are becoming increasingly aware that the cell phones that help parents and students coordinate today’s hectic schedules are also leading students to use their phones in a highly inappropriate manner.” Cathy Joyce/Herald file photo
The superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese is asking parents
for help in talking to their children about the growing problem of “sexting”
and the need to teach students about the responsible use of cell phones
and the Internet.
In a May 7 letter sent to parents of sixth, seventh and eighth graders in 43 elementary schools in the 20-county diocese, Dom Puglisi, superintendent, said school officials “are becoming increasingly aware that the cell phones that help parents and students coordinate today’s hectic schedules are also leading students to use their phones in a highly inappropriate manner.”
Puglisi said this includes “sending sexually explicit or suggestive pictures and messages back and forth to friends and others.”
He asked parents us talk to their children about cell phone usage and the Internet. “Let them know using cell phones and the Internet isn’t a right, it’s a privilege, and that while you trust them, it’s your job as a parent to supervise them on how to use these tools safely and properly,” Puglisi said.
He added that while technology can be “a wonderful thing,” it is “just a tool.”
“How we use it and how our children use it makes all the difference in the world,” he wrote. “In the wrong hands — or in untrained hands — the same Internet that brings us information at the speed of light can also bring unwanted intrusions into our homes, from predators who would exploit the innocence of children, to students left unsupervised who might be drawn to pornographic and other inappropriate Web sites.”
The superintendent said students involved in “sexting” and other related activities will be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from school.
“Families choose Catholic education because they want their children to learn about faith and values, not just academics,” Puglisi said. “‘Sexting’ is not compatible with supporting and promoting that kind of environment and we simply will not tolerate such activity in our parish schools.”
Puglisi told The Herald his letter was prompted by some recent incidents of “sexting” at elementary schools in the diocese.
“We needed to take a pro-active approach with our parents and felt it was our obligation to make parents aware as they are the primary educators of their children,” he said.
He added that response to his letter has been “very positive” based on calls and e-mails from parents.
A copy of Puglisi’s letter is posted on the Catholic School Department Web site at www.csdsac.org.
