Cell-phone explicit text messages between teenage children

I have a minor child between ages 13-16 that used very poor judgment and a cell-phone to send and receive “text” of some substantial and rather graphically explicit possible sexual encounters and/or descriptions to other “known” minor child(ren) of opposite gender of approximately same age.

* Should I keep (leave alone) these messages on the cell-phone as proof that this activity was a 2-way consenting conversations between hormonal teenagers should anyone come knocking at my door ? If so, how long for should they be saved ?

* Or should I have all these messages deleted ? (Especially, in order to prevent further or greater embarrassment)

I and my child - already recognize that some mistakes have been made by both myself for not clearly articulating clear and proper expectations and rules, and for my minor child’s written actions.

I believe I just need some advice with what I should do with the cell-phone’s sexually graphic contents at this point.

Any advise- I will humbly accept. Thank you in advance.

You need not keep them, but the phone should be taken away if there is any further texting like that--as larger problems can occur.

Maybe even taking it away now would be advisable for a period.

Thank you.