Kids Could Face Porn Charges?
In a March 12, 2009 article of USA Today we learn that a number of children are getting into serious trouble for sending steamy photos of themselves via the cell phone. And of course, many of these racy pictures end up on the Internet for the entire worldwide web to see. But that is a minor issue considering the trouble kids are getting into. The latest craze is called “sexting,” which is defined as nude images texted by cell phone. What is the major issue at hand here? This activity can bring the charge of distributing child pornography.
The article documented that this week in Spotsylvania, Va., two boys, ages 15 and 18, were charged with solicitation and possession of child porn with the intent to distribute after an investigation found they sought nude pictures from three juveniles – one in elementary school. Last month, District Attorney William Shaw filed a juvenile petition against a 15-year-old girl for sending nude photos of herself over the Internet. This activity is bringing charges that could amount to becoming a registered sex-offender for up to 20 years.
To add insult to injury, the victim, who has ironically become the perpetrator, could become a rogue-like celebrity over the Internet. Material of this kind usually hits the web rather quickly and spreads like a cancer. Before long, images of our young girls could find a resting place on the hard drives of sexual predators, as well as millions of other people who have access to the Internet.
Education is paramount. If society does not inform our youths of the dangers of posting nude pictures of themselves on social networks, as well as texting them via cell phone, we may have to face the reality that our children will carry the stigma of being sex offenders.
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