Australian Teacher Fired for Sexting 15-Year-Old Student

Jeffrey Stanley Hughes of Australia had his teacher registration canceled by the Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal earlier this month for sexting a 15-year-old student.

The investigation looked into the 39-year-old teacher’s relationship with a female student whom he had been assigned by the school to help through some difficult family issues. The student had also babysat for Hughes and his wife three times.

Hughes and the girl exchanged over 1,000 text messages a month, which included inappropriate content and plans for a sexual relationship. Friends of the girl also reported seeing the two kiss three times.

The teacher will have his teacher registration revoked and will be ineligible to reapply for registration for three years. After that time he may reapply to teach in public school again.

These types of issues are hitting the news on what seems to be a regular basis and it underscores the important of parents staying engaged with what our kids are doing online and on their mobile phone. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with tips for preventing sexting and be sure to talk to your kids early and often about making safer, smarter choices. It is better to have the discussion too many times versus not enough.