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Six Pennsylvania teens were recently arrested on child porn charges that stemmed from the teens texting or "sexting" nude photos of themselves to each other. The boys involved were 16 and 17; the girls were all 14 and 15.
If found guilty, the high schoolers would have to register as sexual offenders for at least 10 years.
The question is this: Are child porn charges against teenagers who, at worst, were exploiting only themselves, overkill? Or are these charges necessary to set a harsh example and send a message to other teens who might have considered "sexting?"
Comments (56)
If they have the technology, teach them about the dangers of it - same as surfing the net, same as chatrooms etc.
Christ, gimme a break.
They'd have their hands pretty fuls if they start prosecuting every teen thats been naked on the internet or in a cell phone picture. REDICULOUS
That's totally unreasonable. Really, is that what sexual predator laws are intended to do? Ruin the lives of a group of teens, simply for some bad behavior? I hope they have very good attys. I also hope their parents take away their phones, hmmm, forever.
This is the saddest stupidest story I have ever heard! Those kids were being dumb kids at the worst. They are NOT sex offenders! This is ridiculous.
This is so asinine. So what lawyer didn't have enough cases now? Why ruin a teen's life. Maybe some classes would be in order that focuses on putting their pictures out there like that. Somewhere down the line it will come back and bite them in the butt. This is totally Ridiculous!
That is insane. If they have to register it will make their lives so hard. Not only will they not be able to get a job, find a place to live etc... If you research the sexual register laws it says that the people that fought to get the law passed even think that it is not being used the way they intended. It should be for violent sexual predators, not kids texting each other pictures! That is ridiculous! That goes along with the kids that are on there for being an adult and their SO not, but the parents have them arrested for sleeping with their kid. They don't realize how this effects the rest of their lives. Those charges set the kids up for a horrible life. The places they have to live are in drug and crime ridden areas, they aren't able to get hired, especially in this economy. No wonder they continue to mess up after, what choice do they have. These charges can ruin their parents lives as well. If they are within a certain distance of a daycare, school etc. they will have to move while the child is still living with them. What an abuse of power.
This is total overkill. To make these young kids register as sex offenders for ten years will most likely ruin their lives. They will have trouble getting into college, getting jobs, and just being respected period. I absolutely think they need counseling, but they are not child pornographers. Any child who would send nude pics of themselves should be counseled by a professional, but as several others have already said, they're only exploiting themselves. I don't think being harsh with them will stop others from doing the exact same thing. It sounds like this D.A. is just trying to make a name for him/herself at the expense of these kids.
I think it is overkill. Should they repremmanded yes (as the parents see fit), registered as sex offenders NO! They are not even old enough to vote yet they want to call them sex offenders.
I agree it is overkill but it is probably due to the girls age they are probably under the age of consent I know that in my state for juveniles convicted of sexual crimes it is up to the judge to determine whether or not they have to register and it is usually only those that are repeat offenders we have some extreme conservative in office who are doing this to our kids my son got in some trouble for playing a stupid game that apparently all the kids around here are doing it is called bean dip where they flip each others nipples it's kind of like the whole snapping bra thing he is now on probation for it it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of
Yeah this is total overkill and lesson to all teen girls out there if you want to ruin a guys life just send a naked pic of yourself to him! There are some school districts that are starting to not let registered sex offenders attend their childrens school events, so within 10 years if any of these teens have children of their own they cannot attend events at their childs school because of some stupid pictures taken back in high school?! As others have said they are exploiting themselves, not being exploited by someone else as the child pornography laws are meant to protect against.