Ridgewood HS students could be charged in sexting case

NORRIDGE, Ill. -- A group of students at Ridgewood High School in suburban Norridge could be charged in a sexting case after taking and sending nude pictures via SnapChat.

Police said two girls, 15 and 17 years old, sent nude photos of themselves to classmates through the smartphone app. Two boys, also 15 and 17, then sent the images to other classmates.

Forwarding the material is illegal because the girls are minors.

"I know a lot of people who do it. And it makes me uncomfortable," Haley Soltwedel, senior at Ridgewood High School, said.

"It shouldn't be so serious when something like this goes down. Kids are always using SnapChat and sending inappropriate things all over the place. I think maybe they shouldn't use these apps in school," Ashraf Sambuka, also a senior, said.

About 25 students were interviewed during the investigation, which began in early February. Officials did not say when charges could be filed.

The school superintendent released a statement, "We spend a lot of time educating students on the use of technology. We started the year with a week of digital citizenship, and the responsible use of technology is embedded in all of our courses."

"Kids will do what they want to do. Who's stopping them, really, other than their parents?" Sambuka said.

"You've got to be careful what you do, you know. Think about other people and the consequence, what can come out of it," parent Filemina Camastra said.