The Big Fuss About Sexting

§N Modern technology is changing the way people, especially teens interact socially. Youth, many of them perpetually clinging to their cell phones, checking facebook, instant messaging and occasionally still using email, are in constant communication with their peers. I hardly go anywhere with out my cell phone. What if someone calls or texts me? Although it may bother parents at the dinner table, cause a disruption during school, and be another step towards the ultimate destruction of face to face personal communication, only recently has texting posed an imminent threat for these teenagers. More specifically sexting. I’m sure by now everyone has heard of sexting, sending sexually explicit messages and photos via cell phone; it’s been splayed across the newspapers and internet enough.

The national media attention that sexting has received the past two years has sparked campaigns to try and prevent teen sexting, but like campaigns aimed to stop underage drinking or drug use, it will never eliminate the practice. Now, not everybody does it, current surveys report that 20% of U.S. teenagers have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves electronically, but, sexting has become a natural part of youth communication. For teens sexting can be flirting, fun, a from of seduction, general communication with someone you like or are attracted to, or even a joke. The physical distance created by mobile communication makes it easier for teens to be outgoing and provocative than in person.

Teens are not unaware of the potential harmful consequence of sexting. 75% of teens have said that sexually suggestive content “can have serious negative consequences.” Beyond the legal issues that have been excruciatingly highlighted the past year, there are social consequences including bullying and sexual harassment that can occur when explicit photos are shared. Yet even though they are aware of the consequences, teens continue to sext. It has become a part of their sexual expression and as a part of the culture, it is not going away anytime soon.

Explicit or suggestive photos of minors used for sexting do not always remain private, and when they have been made public there have been serious legal consequences. Teenagers across the country have faced charges of possessing, disturbing and producing child pornography, among others, including three teenage girls in Greensburg in January 2009. Prosecuted for taking photos of themselves or possessing photos their peers have sent them, teenagers face felony chargers and life time sex offender status in sexting cases.

Child pornography laws are designed to protect minors, the victims of exploitation. Teenage boys and girls taking and possessing pictures of themselves and then willing sending them to their peers are not exploiting or taking advantage or children or minors. Using laws that are designed to protect youth to prosecute them seems out of touch with the goals of child pornography laws. The media attention on the issue has caused a backlash against district attorneys who prosecute teenagers for sexting cases. Currently, U.S. legislators are working on legislation to make sexting a second degree misdemeanor for minors instead of a felony.

As our society continues to address this issue and adapt to the new ways teens are using technology to express themselves, it is important to remember that in most of these instances no one is being malicious. Teenagers make mistakes, but if no one is harmed why destroy their future? As a teenager, I also think it’s extremely important to keep youth engaged in the discussion about sexting. Without their perspective and side of the story, people are making decisions about an issue and topic they do not really understand. This is dangerous ground and poses a threat to cooperative efforts to try and reduce teen sexting.