Sexting is everywhere it seems, including possibly at Tamaqua Area High School.

School District and Tamaqua Police officials have “no comment” on a local television news feature concerning a sexting incident from last week. Tamaqua Superintendent Carol Makuta, when reached this morning, said “The district is conducting an incident into student activity. We have no comment on an ongoing investigation.”Tamaqua Police Cpl. Henry Woods confirmed the department was investigating a reported sexting incident at the high school, but declined to offer any other information. Woods explained, however, that sexting is a crime if either the sender or recipient is under the age of 18.Sexting has become a common term combining the words sex and texting. It is used to describe any inappropriate photographs sent by way of cellphones or the Internet. Such photos include nudity, partial nudity and other obscene behavior.Studies have shown that students sext for several reasons — to show off, as a bid for attention, and/or to prove a commitment to someone. But sexting is a crime with long-reaching consequences, both legal and social.Once such a photo is sent, the sender loses all control of it. You send your boyfriend a nude photo of yourself and trust that his will be the only eyes that see it. But what if that trust is broken, or you break up? Even celebrities have found they have no control of what happens with such photos.“Once the investigation is complete,” Woods said, “the department will release a statement if a crime has been found to be committed and any charges are filed.”The school district has its own disciplinary code and a zero-tolerance policy. If the investigation finds that policy has been violated, including using a cellphone during school hours, any students involved could face possible suspension or expulsion.