Teenagers and "Sexting"

Teenagers and "Sexting"

Topic Author: Christine Bellport

Posted: 10:20 AM Apr 14, 2009

Replies Posted: 18 comments

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Hello -

We are hearing more and more disturbing stories in the news about kids sending out nude text pictures or videos of themselves on their phones. It is called Sexting. I am so relieved that one state (Ohio) is going to try to tackle this growing problem. We did the story today on air and it got me thinking. I want to know what you think...

First of all, I don't think younger teens should even *have* phones that allow texting or videos. But I am sure the cellphone companies that make a lot of money off kids and texting would disagree. I know that not every child abuses this feature on their phone, but at what point do we need to step in to protect all of them from themselves?

Here is the issue...if I was a child/teen and I sent a nude picture or video of myself to another child/teen and then he or she passes it on to other kids, they could face felony child pornography charges. Yes, a FELONY. Most of these kids don't even know it until it is too late. The ACLU and Ohio State held a press conference earlier this month and said that the punishment as it is right now is too harsh on kids and going through a trial/having a felony on their record could ruin their lives.

I tend to agree. Why should they be punished that harshly for some child's crazy idea to take video or pictures of themselves in the nude? Ohio lawmakers are considering making it a first degree misdemeanor (see story below).

What do you think? Should the penalties be reduced for kids that pass on racy pictures of other kids?

If noting else, I think technology definately got ahead of our ability to deal with these serious child safety and ethical issues. So please parents, sit down with your kids and tell them if they receive any nude pictures or videos to delete them right away! And contact an adult immediately.

Thanks for visiting my blog and I look forward to your comments.

-Christine

Here is today's story out of Ohio...
A new Tri-State push could make Ohio one of the first states in the nation to change how it handles teenagers sexting each other.

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel and two lawmakers want to discourage teens from sending racy pictures through their cellphones by making penalties more appropriate for the offense.

The proposed legal change was announced at a Monday morning news conference at the Warren County Courthouse in Lebanon. The lawmakers and other leaders are increasingly worried about teens under the age of 18 sending nude or sexually explicit camera phone pictures of themselves to other teens.

Currently, teens could face felony child pornography charges which could force them on to sexual offender registries for as long as 20 years.

Leaders want to change that by reducing penalties for sexting teenagers to a first degree misdemeanor.

Dr. Parry Aftab from the national support group called Wired Safety flew in from New York City to support the proposal. She said the proposal would be one of the first of its kind in the country. "This bill could be a model for national legislation. I will take this idea to Washington," Dr. Aftab said.

Aftab said she'll suggest the law be named after Jessica Logan. She's the Sycamore High School student who took her own life last year after being embarrassed by a nude picture of herself that was circulated on cell phones among her classmates and others. Jessica's mother and father, Cynthia and Burt Logan, also attended the news conference and support the proposal.

Prosecutor Hutzel said current laws that handle sexting are "too over the top," causing teenagers who make a mistake and show poor judgment to become criminals.

Dr. Aftab said the law should apply to incidents where sexually explicit pictures are sent over cellphones as well as computers or other high tech devices.

Also on hand for Monday's news conference was Kevin Bright, Superintendent of Mason City Schools, which has had problems with sexting among its students. Hutzel and others hope they can win enough support for their sexting proposal to get their bill through the Ohio Legislature and on to Governor Ted Strickland's desk before the end of the year.

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

by Mama Dendo on Oct 8, 2009 at 09:26 PM

I am concerned about emotional, spiritual and psychological outcomes from sexting. Has anyone heard about teen support groups for this problem. Can anyone give me a contact link or number. We are in southeast Florida but I want to talk with any leaders of support groups anywhere in the USA

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by Tasha Location: Madison on Aug 18, 2009 at 04:20 PM

I agree with Annie for the most part. On one hand we did grow up fine with out cell phones but it's much easier to have faith that if something should happen to where your child needs help he/she can just call anywhere, anytime. I say screw the phone companies cries of making less money. Kids only need the phones that have pre-programmed numbers that the child can call, such as parents cells, 911 and the local police.

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by Dave Location: Denver, CO on Jun 9, 2009 at 05:27 AM

I don't know about you guys, but I get the feeling it'd be A LOT more emotionally scarring if a kid was registered as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Sure, Jessica took her own life because a photo of herself was circulated through her classmates. But I'm sure there are A LOT more cases of people taking their own lives after being registered a sex offender. Felonly? Thats WAY to harsh. Kids will be kids and make mistakes. Kids will be naive. Why ruin their lives because of a stupid mistake? No one was actually harmed except maybe the kid who sent out the photos themself. Thats what therapy and counsiling is for. How would slapping the kid with a felony charge help him/ her at all? Ontop of possibly being humiliated by their peers, they're going to suffer through life with limited living and job options. Laws are designed to protect us right? In what way is this protecting children who do this? I'd say First Degree Misdemeanor is too harsh as well.

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by Annie on May 17, 2009 at 07:35 AM

Just take their phones away. We didn't have them growing up and we survived. This generation is over-stimulated, that's for sure. They need to get back to being creative and learning how to be alone with their own thoughts.

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by CJ on May 15, 2009 at 09:50 AM

They won't give you the information unless it is requested by police. How stupid is that if we pay the bills!?

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by Anna on May 15, 2009 at 09:42 AM

I don't think the parents are to blame either. I also hear it is very hard for parents, even if they pay the bill for the phone, to get the personal records of who their kids are talking to or texting. I think that is a real problem.

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by Tim Location: Wisconsin on May 5, 2009 at 11:13 PM

I had never heard of Sexting until tonight on Law & Order. In that show, the child accidently sexted a friend and her boyfriend beat her for it. The boyfriend then sent it to ALL kids in their school. Within a short time, it would be available on the internet. These kids are not taught by their parents or in any other venue of the consequences of their actions. Some say those of us who are more strict with our children and do not give them a phone at 10 or 11 years old are 'old fashioned'. I say we are trying to teach responsibility in a timely mannor. The law is the law! It is a felony for those that can be charged in adult court. What happens when it is a younger child? Juvy School? The answer is to get a phone or account that does not permit attaching videos or pics as part of texting. Knowing these kids, they will find another way though. A booklet of current laws could be provided (and signed for) when an account is provided for a minor.

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by Peaches Location: Madison _East Side on Apr 29, 2009 at 08:20 AM

Christine, I think we both agree. I don't see no need for children not to have a cell phone but if parents are part of the responsibility of sexting, they will at least pay attention and provide further discouragement for the kids not to do it.

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by Christine on Apr 26, 2009 at 09:46 AM

Peaches, I can understand that if I child gets a parent's gun why that parent should be held accoutable, but not a cell phone. You can't control what that child does 24-7. If I had a child, I would want them to have a cell phone for my piece of mind (so I could reach them at any time) and their safety too.

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by Peaches Location: Madison on Apr 26, 2009 at 08:26 AM

Christine, you hit on a tough topic. Peaches thinks that the parents should be held responsible along with the kids. Porn is porn is porn...

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by Paul Location: Sun Prairie on Apr 25, 2009 at 07:36 AM

I agree with Jenna. I think if a teenager sends this material they should suffer whatever penalty the law suggests. Just as if they make phoney 911 calls or bomb threats or any other activities that are illegal with their phone, so they should be prosecuted with this. First of all, they now know they're breaking the law. The original teenagers didn't know this! We need to make a stand with our kids and let them know that if they break the law there are consequences. Sending a naked picture of yourself is not "a silly teenager thing" that we all did as teenagers. It's sending porn of yourself and teens need to be taught right from wrong and respect of themselves...somewhere!! If they sent a text like this to an adult, that adult just accepted kiddie porn! It's also not a matter of always checking up on them or getting a copy of all their texts. If you feel as a parent you need to do this then your teen shouldn't have a phone to begin with!! My 17 and 20 year olds now know...

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by Kris on Apr 22, 2009 at 02:41 PM

Don't you think the person/teen who sends the nude pictures of themselves should be held accountable too? I don't hear you mention that at all.

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by Brenda on Apr 19, 2009 at 09:18 AM

Well being all teens at one time.. we have ALL done something... even if it was minor or lied to our parents. We still defied their wishes. As far as the cell phones go, the technology allows you to also block these abilities especially if you provide the phone and control the contract of the phone. As the parent... excersise that right! Educate your kids and this should not happen.

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by Jon Location: Madison on Apr 17, 2009 at 12:02 AM

If teenagers are old enough to figure out how to engage in "sexting" on the newer phones today, then they should be old enough to figure out that what they are doing can have serious consequences, whether receiving or sending. Personally I think the one doing the initial "sending" should be held to a lot more accountability, since they are the ones that start the ring to begin with, although I think there would be an awful amount of peer-pressure on a teenager to not "snitch".

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by Larry Location: Madison on Apr 15, 2009 at 05:07 PM

I agree with you and "A" from Wisconsin, Christine. Penalties are way too harsh for kids who grew up with texting as a way of life. There are no penalties for email or things passed around, as far as I know, so why is it a FELONY for texting? That only benefits the prison-industrial complex. There should be some kind of punishment, for sure, as kids can be quite mean. Adolescence can be a confusing, painful period. Malicious sexting can only make it more so. Until technology and our laws catch up with these issues, the community and parents will have to take a more active role in teaching kids what is and is NOT appropriate behavior/actions. Glad I don't have kids. It's a crazy world!

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