Teens charged for distributing/recieving child porn... of themselves?

[Msterbeau]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090...rn-charges.html

"There are a number of reasons to think twice (or three times, or four times, or fifty times) before sending a nude photo of yourself to someone electronically. But, if you're under the age of 18, there's at least one big, glaring, serious reason: you and the recipient could be charged with trafficking child pornography. If you think this sounds crazy, it is exactly what happened in Greensburg, Pennsylvania after two teenage girls send nude photos to some teenage boys. "

[jynxxxedangel]

Good. It's about time kids were reprimanded for exploiting themselves. It's become quite an epidemic.

[TomCat]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090...rn-charges.html

"There are a number of reasons to think twice (or three times, or four times, or fifty times) before sending a nude photo of yourself to someone electronically. But, if you're under the age of 18, there's at least one big, glaring, serious reason: you and the recipient could be charged with trafficking child pornography. If you think this sounds crazy, it is exactly what happened in Greensburg, Pennsylvania after two teenage girls send nude photos to some teenage boys. "

Didn't something like this just happen in Pinckney, MI?? Some 13 or 14 year old freshman girl took cell phone pics of herself and sent them to a "love interest" who then forwarded it, and so on, and so on... bad idea.

[TomCat]

Pinckey Teens not Charged

Yup...

[Msterbeau]

Didn't something like this just happen in Pinckney, MI?? Some 13 or 14 year old freshman girl took cell phone pics of herself and sent them to a "love interest" who then forwarded it, and so on, and so on... bad idea.

Bad idea does not = child porn distributor.

[Msterbeau]

Good. It's about time kids were reprimanded for exploiting themselves. It's become quite an epidemic.

Arresting them is a little more then reprimanding, don't cha think? This is an issue for the parents to deal with, not the courts. Further... what was the school doing looking through the contents of the phone? They have the right to take it away of that is the school policy, they have NO business searching through it just because it's in their possession.

[TomCat]

Arresting them is a little more then reprimanding, don't cha think? This is an issue for the parents to deal with, not the courts. Further... what was the school doing looking through the contents of the phone? They have the right to take it away of that is the school policy, they have NO business searching through it just because it's in their possession.

Well, it all ultimately boils down to it being the parents responsibility. To raise the kids THE RIGHT WAY. That is all.

[TitsMcGee]

I recall a story from a few months ago, where a girl who had a topless picture of herself on her phone, had her phone stolen by a boy at school who forwarded it to himself then around the whole school. The girl I believe was suspended for a week, while nothing happened to the kid who stole the phone from her.

Frankly I don't think the girls should be charged with a crime. I think they should be taught a little self respect.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I think they should be punished, but not charged as sex offenders... which these kids are being charged as.

[Msterbeau]

Well, it all ultimately boils down to it being the parents responsibility. To raise the kids THE RIGHT WAY. That is all.

So... um... what is the RIGHT way?

I think they need guidance, not punishment. There's nothing wrong with the naked body.. but taking pictures of your own and then sending it out on your phone.. Not too bright. Not as a teen anyways.

[TomCat]

So... um... what is the RIGHT way?

I think they need guidance, not punishment. There's nothing wrong with the naked body.. but taking pictures of your own and then sending it out on your phone.. Not too bright. Not as a teen anyways.

Is there a right way? In house (parental controls) combined with local, not statutory (institutional, ie schools) reprimands and EDUCATION. Maybe these combined will set the lil' buckaroos onto the right path.

[Msterbeau]

Is there a right way? In house (parental controls) combined with local, not statutory (institutional, ie schools) reprimands and EDUCATION. Maybe these combined will set the lil' buckaroos onto the right path.

Probably worth bearing in mind that parents can't always imagine every possible source of trouble. Especially with emerging technologies. Kids are often ahead of the parents.

[TomCat]

Probably worth bearing in mind that parents can't always imagine every possible source of trouble. Especially with emerging technologies. Kids are often ahead of the parents.

Yup, I agree...the technological opportunities for "getting into trouble" exist around every corner, on every keyboard, and on every keypad. The kids AND thier parents/guardians should be made to take this journey of accountability together.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Why not punishment? Why not teach the child that all actions have repercussions? I don't mean some form of corporal punishment... but taking away the ability to text (and send pictures)(perhaps a new phone that does nothing but makes calls), access the Internet or a some other form of grounding seems appropriate. Along with a long talk about the danger one puts themselves in when exposing themselves in such a way.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Kids are often ahead of the parents.

Who bought the phone? Who is paying for the added services? You are talking about a failed parent.

[TomCat]

Why not punishment? Why not teach the child that all actions have repercussions? I don't mean some form of corporal punishment... but taking away the ability to text (and send pictures)(perhaps a new phone that does nothing but makes calls), access the Internet or a some other form of grounding seems appropriate. Along with a long talk about the danger one puts themselves in when exposing themselves in such a way.

I'm so with you on these points Gaf. I survived ALL of my formative years without a cell phone. Let alone something with web access, texting, and photo capabilities? Not necessary or warranted with kids who ABUSE these privileges.

Who bought the phone? Who is paying for the added services? You are talking about a failed parent.

In parenting, not knowing what your kids are doing makes you complicit by definition. WE as parents are our children's keepers.

[Rev.Reverence]

I'm so with you on these points Gaf. I survived ALL of my formative years without a cell phone. Let alone something with web access, texting, and photo capabilities? Not necessary or warranted with kids who ABUSE these privileges.

In parenting, not knowing what your kids are doing makes you complicit by definition. WE as parents are our children's keepers.

+1

&

+1

[Msterbeau]

Who bought the phone? Who is paying for the added services? You are talking about a failed parent.

In their case. They aren't everyone.

I'm sure you've kept track of every one of your kids every minute of the day, everywhere they go, then? Think of your own teen years. I'm guessing you found ways around your parents restrictions when you felt the need. I did. Sometimes they found out. Sometimes not. Some times I got grounded. Sometimes there was just a discussion.

We can only do so much... and some are better then others.

[Msterbeau]

Why not punishment? Why not teach the child that all actions have repercussions? I don't mean some form of corporal punishment... but taking away the ability to text (and send pictures)(perhaps a new phone that does nothing but makes calls), access the Internet or a some other form of grounding seems appropriate. Along with a long talk about the danger one puts themselves in when exposing themselves in such a way.

I can agree with that. It wouldn't be the kind of punishment for which I was in their face and angry about though. It's the kind of thing where there would be a serious and earnest talk about consequences. And about the whole sex offender thing if they suddenly find themselves over 18 and doing that with someone under age.

[Msterbeau]

To add further to the technology thing. MANY parents are barley capable of sending an email much less delving into the operating system and doing clever hacks. Computers are almost ubiquitous these days. If the kid has friends that teach him/her tricks to circumventing the parental restrictions or they figure it out on a library computer away from the parents eyes.. the parents don't have a clue and think they're doing doing an OK job. It's easy to judge others when you're competent at something but not everyone is or ever will be. That's life. Like it or not.

[TomCat]

To add further to the technology thing. MANY parents are barley capable of sending an email much less delving into the operating system and doing clever hacks. Computers are almost ubiquitous these days. If the kid has friends that teach him/her tricks to circumventing the parental restrictions or they figure it out on a library computer away from the parents eyes.. the parents don't have a clue and think they're doing doing an OK job. It's easy to judge others when you're competent at something but not everyone is or ever will be. That's life. Like it or not.

Yeah, it's what they used to call a "quandry" in the old days Marc.

[Der Nister]

I'm so with you on these points Gaf. I survived ALL of my formative years without a cell phone. Let alone something with web access, texting, and photo capabilities? Not necessary or warranted with kids who ABUSE these privileges.

In parenting, not knowing what your kids are doing makes you complicit by definition. WE as parents are our children's keepers.

Agrees.

Also, a good old fashion ass kicking once in a while doesn't hurt either (where's Red Forman when you need him?). *lol*

I'm not advocating child abuse because it isn't. My dad didn't go around hitting me or my borthers but he put the fear of God in us enough to know better and not want to fuck up.

I even had friends with dads that put the fear in me. Again, they never hit me but I didn't wanna fuck up around them cuz I knew it would get back to my dad.

Kids today (yea I know - I sound like an old man here) they don't seem to have any fear.

And for that I will just ask - why? (I know the reason but refuse to say)

[Goth Brooks]

People should realize that kids don't have rights to privacy when on school property. Most of the time, its right in the student handbook.

As for kids taken nudes of themselves, it IS a violation of the law. Kids shouldn't be allowed to skip out on the law, just because they're kids.

[TygerLili]

I seriously doubt these kids will actually be convicted of anything, but I don't disagree with making an example of what they did.

If you do something stupid, and technically illegal, there could be unfavorable consequences. Best learn that now.

[e-jewell]

That is one thing a lot of kids are afraid of, around that age.... at least the vast majority. Trouble with the cops. I think these kids Should be made an example of, and hopefully it will send a message to the others.

Just to make sure.... 18's the official age for 'porn', right? Cuz otherwise I've sent nudes of myself that I might need to work on erasing from existence....