20 Percent of Teens Partake in 'Sexting': Should They Face Charges?

This doesn't even make sense. Okay, in certain states, the age of consent is 16. So, you give kids the legal rights to have ACTUAL sex, then turn around and try to charge them for LOOKING at sex? No.

And what about them talking about it? Does that also fall into this category? If so, shouldn't they be happy that these kids are not actually having sex, but just expressing their hormones in words?

Honestly, this is a waste. You can put a law over it, trying to stop it. But, then what? Are we going to have to start searching phones for naked pictures? Not a good look if you ask me. Let them make their own mistakes. Part of life is about learning from firsthand experiences. Get over it. The only problem should be if it is with two people with one being over the legal age limit allowed to have sexual relations with that specific minor. THEN! We have a problem. But, with two teens? That's dumb.

K. I'm done.

I'm a minor and I dated a guy who was in his 20's and we were fine so I disagree with that last bit but other than that, I totally agree with you! People are suffocating teens too much these days. It's only going to make some teens more determined to rebel.

You are SOOO right iBrianna, it doesn't make sense. Unfortunately these kids ARE being arrested and charged with CHILD PORNOGRAPHY in these circumstances. They ARE searching kids phones and arresting them for what they find. They are also encouraging their peers to turn them in if they know of someone who has these type of pics on their phones, or know of those who are engaging in "illegal" sex (what teen doesn't at least "think" about these things!?!?), that is what being a teen is, becoming a sexual being in their own right, except now the government has decided that it is "deviant" behavior!!! It is not a matter of parenting anymore, the government is now telling teens that what they are doing is not just wrong,but ILLEGAL!!!

The government isn't deciding NOW that child porn is a crime... it's been a crime for years. It's just NOW we have newer ways to take and send the pictures. If someone is under 18 it's been a crime for decades to take sexually explicit photos of them or possess them.

Some how we have to control these stupid youths.

Dave, this type of intervention by the government is NOT controlling these kids, nor even controlling what you are deeming "stupid youth". They are taking their futures away from them by charging them with crimes that put them on the sex offender registry. This is NOT just a list, the registry condemns all on it, especially kids, to a future of hopelessness. Once they are required to register they are labeled for life and thought of as scum of the earth. ANYONE with a crime against a minor (i.e. CP, sex with a minor, etc.) will forever be considered a child molester, pedophile or predator.

Under child pornography laws, what they are doing is illegal. As such they should be made to face charges so that they understand that no one is above the law, and be forced to do 8-24 hrs of community service after which, their record should be wiped clean once they turn 18. I don't think they should really suffer, but I think that you can't let them think that laws don't mean anything.

T. unfortunately they DO NOT wipe their record clean when it comes to "sex crimes." Since these are considered "crimes against children" many of them will be required to register for life. They will not be allowed to join the military, attend certain schools (even colleges and universities) any job that involves children in ANY way will be off limits to them. I hardly think that is the appropriate way to show a kid that "you can't let them think the laws don't mean anything." These laws were created to protect children from sexual predators and actual child pornographers, not to punish kids for NORMAL curiosity and sexual experimentation.

with boundaries, freedom expression is nice but think first and use good and high judgement on what you say. It can come back and bite you later.

Childrens right are very similar to a prisoners rights, Only legal adults have full constitutional rights.

if it's a picture of themselves then that's their choice. if it's a picture of someone else that they're forwarding then they should definitely be in some kind of trouble, that's not right.

So, let me get this straight: This new moral crusade against "sexting" is based on the standard premise that teenagers are too young and immature to comprehend the consequences that sexual activity may hold for their lives...yet somehow, they're now considered old and responsible enough to face charges for it? That's just...absurd.

If these teens are old enough to face charges, they're clearly not in the category of "helpless naive children being victimized by predators," which is the whole point of child pornography and statutory rape laws in the first place.

Forcing these kids to face charges has nothing to do with "justice" or protecting them from anything: Ironically, it has everything to do with adults victimizing them...except this time, it's adults within "the system."

It's funny how these irrational culture warriors are constantly pretending to be horrified by the consequences "sexting" can bring to a teen's life, yet they're so eager to pile on and make it worse. Best I can tell, it's not coming from a place of genuine protectiveness but from somewhere more controlling and vengeful.

Michael, you said it all! We as parents SHOULD be horrified at what the government is doing to our children.

Yes a thousand times yes couldn've said it better myself.

They should not be penalized, but they should be educated about the consequences of their photos being shared beyond their targeted recipient.

It's ridiculous making a 13-year-old register for life as a sex offender because of sexting a picture of himself.

Yes it is, but it is happening to teens (AND younger) all across this nation EVERY day!

There are many teenagers under 18 that are convicted sex offenders, because of their age, they are not registered.

What happens when they turn 18?

Many under 18 ARE registered!

Let them txt their horny little minds out, it's better than them having actual sex.

Whatever happened to you know that thing called actually talking to a person in (I don't know say) actually in person!! Why are people so crazily obsessed with technology nowadays, it's ridiculous. You'd be more successful getting the picture to the person through the flipping mail or by actually (crazy idea) handing it to the person. Nothing lasts forever so as soon as you break up (if not sooner) you should already expect that they will show or send the pictures to others. People need to grow up and learn some common sense. If people don't realize that they shouldn't from the countless movies and stories about it then they probably won't ever learn unless something else is done about it. There is an 18+ age limit of being able to view porn so having little children sending naked pictures of themselves to others should be looked into and penalized it's like they are promoting the distribution of child porn. I know children "don't know better" but that's exactly why there needs to be a penalty to hopefully discourage them.

mel, these are serious charges, life changing charges, in NO WAY is this a "penalty". These actions were handled within the realm of the family and punishment that fit "the crime" was decided by the parents for centuries. These are KIDS for goodness sake, the ones who are supposed to be ''protected" by these laws, not sexual deviants!

as long as their only talking about it and not actually doing it i don't see the big deal.

who cares, its only talking about it and not doing it

They shouldn't partake in such fool and immodest behavior, but it doesn't mean they should pay for doing it. It is not like it's illegal or something, but it is very inappropriate. Kids who do this, ask yourself, "what if my future children knew I did this and thought it was okay?"

But it is illegal. If it wasn't we wouldn't be discussing the issue here. Many teens are being charged and convicted for just this scenario.

Yes, because apparently their parents didn't teach them decent moral values! Someone should try to point them in the right direction. It they think it's ok now, what happens when they are no longer under 18? And what about those who don't even know their pic is being circulated? Think of the damage that can bring just because someone else thinks it is funny to humiliate another human being! There must be some way to put a stop to this. It's so degrading for all concerned.

Stupid people will be stupid, especially teens. The government can't speak as their 'voice of reason' inside their heads (also known as their conscience, logic, common sense, etc.).

How would they enforce this anyway?

They already do. Cell phones have been taken at school, peers have turned sexting teens in, etc.

How would you enforce that charge?

We should be allowed to use our phones as we wish.

No What about if both genders have sex with each other and both are under 18? Is that consider Child Sex?

Yes and many have been arrested AND convicted and added to the sex offender registry, some of them for life.

They really shouldn't even be doing such immodest things. I actually meant to say no by the way. I misread the question. So like I was saying they shouldn't partake in foul behavior. Although, you'd think that the people who said yes were right. Police departments have been warning teens that they monitor cellular phones' actions. The authorities would just like them to stay safe. Any gender may receive a photograph at anytime of anything, and if they aren't alone, chances are they will show friends.

They should be charged with corrupting the morals of horny adults!

I think these people should be disciplined somehow. I am so sick of hearing about sexting and things like that. It's like people think it's cool to have no self respect. What is this world coming to? It doesn't matter how old you are, sexting isn't as cool as some people seem to think. What if a person decides they want to have sex with someone, and then they send a dirty message, but the message never gets to the person it was intended for, because that person got their phone stolen, and the person who stole the phone forwards the message to their friends, who then send it to their other friends, and suddenly a bunch of people end up knowing what was supposed to be private? Would you want something like that to happen to you? Also, what goes on between two people in a relationship is their own business. It's not classy to put yourself out there and let everyone know what you are doing. Seriously people. Respect yourselves.

stupid question! why do we want MORE government interference in our lives??? poeple will do what they have a drive to do! you can t control nature...just relax!

and its another pointless discussion...how many people will consider the consequences of their actions before hand and not make others clean up their lives for them?? that goes for those who want EVRYTHING regulated cause there are those who wont take responsibility for their OWN lives and those of their kids whom they supposedly have responsibility for and leave others alone to do as they please!