Sacramento Schools Program Puts Focus On Sexting, Cyberbullying On Social Media

By Kelly Ryan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A first of its kind social-media program was unveiled in Sacramento at Hiram Johnson High School on Tuesday.

The freshmen were part of a discussion on topics like sexting and cyberbullying, online strangers and stalkers.

Tuesday was Day 1 of a new interactive education program developed by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office with help from Sacramento schools, the police and sheriff's departments.

In our scenario with one young lady who sends a nude and her boyfriend sends it out and it mushrooms and the whole school then finds out about it.

There are also discussions on cyberbullying. The boy being picked on in the scenario later commits suicide. Presenters ask kids provoking questions to get students thinking.

It's still too early to tell but instructors say the can see light bulbs going on as kids begin to understand the results of their actions. More importantly, they develop a sense of empathy for others, something many in this generation who have mostly online conversations have yet to develop.

This program is offered to high school students in Sacramento City Unified Schools District and Folsom. it will later be offered to middle-school students, where presenters say it's needed most.