Carver: Forum held on cyber-bullying, sexting, and substance abuse

Here’s a warning for teenagers: If you think it’s OK to use your mobile phone or the Internet to send sexually explicit images of you or someone else, think again.

It’s called sexting, and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz says it’s an action that has serious and sometimes permanent consequences.

If someone receives a sexually explicit message, Cruz recommends notifying police or a school resource officer.

Cyber-bullying, sexting and other dangerous uses of mobile phones and the Internet is on the rise among teenagers.

So says Meghan McCoy, who’s a graduate intern with the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State College.

McCoy warns that inappropriate use of electronic communications can have lifelong consequences.

McCoy says parents should let their children know that what they do online counts.