Public schools in Houston, Texas have a new rule for students returning to school this year.

Education officials have banned sexting.  Sexting is defined as sending or receiving sexually suggestive photos either through cell phone text messages or e-mail.
     
Hans Graff is the assistant general counsel at the Houston Independent School District.

"Some principals raised the issue, so we included a provision saying sending, receiving, possessing sexually suggestive messages is forbidden," Graff told AFP.  
  
Officials say sexting is not only disruptive and can be traumatic for the students, but violates child pornography laws, which would punish students criminally. 

Graff said, "We want to put them on notice that it's just not something that really belongs in school."