Numerous Southmoreland High School students are under investigation by state police in Greensburg for sending inappropriate messages via cell phone.

The investigation concerns a new trend among young people commonly known as "sexting" -- using cell phones to send sexual messages or images.

Students are under investigation regarding inappropriate images of an underage girl that were sent to students' cell phones since April 2008. It is unclear how the images were discovered or how many students are involved.

Southmoreland School District turned over the investigation to the state police and refused to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation. No charges have been filed.

Earlier this month, three teenage girls who allegedly sent nude or semi-nude cell phone pictures of themselves and the three male Greensburg Salem High School classmates who received them were charged with child pornography in juvenile court.