Sexting: Latest Fad With Teens

TYLER - Phones can help you talk, text and send both video and pictures.

And no one seems to be catching on faster than teenagers.

Experts say, if you're a parent this is one word you need to be aware of — Sexting.

"Sexting is texting— cyber sex."

Grant Bailey and Ian Powell say while the term is new, the risky behavior isn't.

They tell us, "This has been going on since there's been picture messaging and text messaging, like on MySpace and stuff."

A study shows 20-percent of teens across the country admit, they've sent or posted nude or lewd pictures of themselves.

Bailey and Powell say — some go as far as creating a collection of body parts on their cell phones.

They tell us, "You got friends, dudes who say, "ya I got this many boobs on my phone."

What starts out as an innocent game for some, could hold long term consequences, sometimes legal, sometimes emotional."

Dr. Lundberg-Love says, "Once they put it out there, it's out there forever."

Psychologist like Dr. Paula Lundberg-Love doesn't just worry about criminal charges if the messages are sent from minors to adults.

But — what happens with the pictures after they're sent.

Dr. Lundberg-Love says, "Relationships change and there's no predicting what will be done with the pictures."

And these two friends say whether it's sent to a close friend or not— it's risky.

Dr. Lundberg-Love says, "They're throwing their bodies out there."

Experts say, many employers and colleges are now doing on-line search before they decide on hiring or admitting a person.

Dr. Lundberg-Love says, this could mean big losses for some of the teens.