Sexting- The Real Deal

Everyone knows that child porn is against the law. And for good reason, minors need to be protected from sexual predators that could strike if given an opportunity. The penalties for these crimes are harsh, including jail time and mandatory registration as a sex offender. But what happens when the victims and offenders are both underage? How about when the act seems completely innocent and consensual?

Enter sexting, or the art of sending and recieving nude or semi-nude enticing photos, whether through email or text messages or even postings on social networking hubs like facebook or myspace. Studies indicate that 20 percent of teens and 33 percent of young adults age 20-26 have sent or posted sexy photos of themselves. Even higher percentages have reported recieving such material from someone they know, 31 percent of teen and 46 percent of young adults.

This growing phenomon is causing a stir among lawmakers and police, who are attempting to crackdown on child pornography. Currently, prosecutors in many districts are taking the stance that minors who are caught with such materials in their possession can be sentenced to jail time and classified as sex offenders. The least harsh punishment is a mandatory ten hour rehab program. While the penalties seem harsh, consider the fact that the moment a person turns 18, possession of photos that depict a minor in a scandalous manner are automatically illegal.

The consequences of sexting can't be overstated. Jesse Logan, a high school senior in Cincinatti, Ohio, took a nude photo of herself and sent it to her boyfriend. Harmless right? It was until it got out to the general public. Within days the photo was being circulated among several local high school student bodies. People who saw the image taunted Jesse, calling her a whore. She later committed suicide by hanging herself when the harassment didn't stop.

It is sad that we live in a world where such tragedies are possible. The photo never should have gotten out to the general public. Rather through carelessness or deliberate mischief, it did. It cost a young girl her life. There is a very fine line to walk between people's right to privacy and the need to protect minors. The surveys and polls indicate that a sizable portion of our young people are engaging in these activities. We must find ways to protect them without criminalizing them and destroying their futures over something they may not realize is illegal. As always, compassion must be the order of the day since human decency is obviously lacking. It never should have come to this.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20090327/cm_uc_crbbox/op_239471;_ylt=AipxksDBe5XQCkiT1EdoyAn9wxIF