Sexy texts could leave teens serving time
NANAIMO (CUP) — Teenagers are now using text messaging to flirt and view each other naked.
Since January, news reports have called this trend “sexting” and remain focused on the fact that it's only teenagers who are involved in XXX-rated text messaging.
A study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in the U.S. says that up to 20 per cent of teenagers have admitted to sending sexy phrases and provocative images via their cell phones.
The media is glorifying a new form of something that has probably been going on before telephones were even invented, but they might have a good reason for doing so this time, since digital images can easily fall into the wrong person's hands.
Digital pictures are very easy to take, but not as easy to get rid of once a twosome breaks up.
The sexting phenomenon is leading to teens getting busted with the pictures, and strict punishments coming into play once the pictures fall onto the screens of unworthy cell phones.
Teens busted for digitally circulating naked pictures of their friends can be charged with distributing child pornography, despite the material being from someone of the same age.
The charges are serious and can remain with the accused well into their adult life, potentially ruining a horny and curious kid's future.
The consequences are a bit more worrisome than being busted by mom and dad for making out with a partner behind closed doors when one isn't supposed to.
Cell phones and the Internet definitely help people come out of their shells — and clothes — which is a convenience that is tough to talk people, especially kids, out of.
We could start by not buying cell phones for young teens.
The media spotlight is on teenagers for good reason this time, even though sexting is something adults are involved in too. Their naked bodies just aren't legally old enough to be subjects of casual picture taking and distributing, even if it is just for or from a fellow teen.
The young adult generation is just as guilty of sexting, and even though our experiences seem more advanced and our desires more defined, no one seems to care if university-aged kids are sexting or not. Legalities mean we are left out of this one.
A Canwest news report from reporter Elaine O'Connor in Vancouver says that “in Canada, it is not a crime for two teenagers, both under the age of 18, to possess consensually produced nude pictures of each other for private viewing. However, the wider distribution of such pictures would fall under child pornography laws and the person who distributed it could be charged.”
So possession is OK, but distribution is considered to be breaking the rules. The reports highlight the effectiveness that good parenting skills can have, but even great parenting won't be able to turn off a horny teenager who owns a cell.
Teens are going to see each other naked eventually; the phones are just making it easier for them to do it, leaving longer lasting images that are at risk of being seen by others.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Since January, news reports have called this trend “sexting” and remain focused on the fact that it's only teenagers who are involved in XXX-rated text messaging.
A study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in the U.S. says that up to 20 per cent of teenagers have admitted to sending sexy phrases and provocative images via their cell phones.
The media is glorifying a new form of something that has probably been going on before telephones were even invented, but they might have a good reason for doing so this time, since digital images can easily fall into the wrong person's hands.
Digital pictures are very easy to take, but not as easy to get rid of once a twosome breaks up.
The sexting phenomenon is leading to teens getting busted with the pictures, and strict punishments coming into play once the pictures fall onto the screens of unworthy cell phones.
Teens busted for digitally circulating naked pictures of their friends can be charged with distributing child pornography, despite the material being from someone of the same age.
The charges are serious and can remain with the accused well into their adult life, potentially ruining a horny and curious kid's future.
The consequences are a bit more worrisome than being busted by mom and dad for making out with a partner behind closed doors when one isn't supposed to.
Cell phones and the Internet definitely help people come out of their shells — and clothes — which is a convenience that is tough to talk people, especially kids, out of.
We could start by not buying cell phones for young teens.
The media spotlight is on teenagers for good reason this time, even though sexting is something adults are involved in too. Their naked bodies just aren't legally old enough to be subjects of casual picture taking and distributing, even if it is just for or from a fellow teen.
The young adult generation is just as guilty of sexting, and even though our experiences seem more advanced and our desires more defined, no one seems to care if university-aged kids are sexting or not. Legalities mean we are left out of this one.
A Canwest news report from reporter Elaine O'Connor in Vancouver says that “in Canada, it is not a crime for two teenagers, both under the age of 18, to possess consensually produced nude pictures of each other for private viewing. However, the wider distribution of such pictures would fall under child pornography laws and the person who distributed it could be charged.”
So possession is OK, but distribution is considered to be breaking the rules. The reports highlight the effectiveness that good parenting skills can have, but even great parenting won't be able to turn off a horny teenager who owns a cell.
Teens are going to see each other naked eventually; the phones are just making it easier for them to do it, leaving longer lasting images that are at risk of being seen by others.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
