Responses to Teen Sexting Article
“Teen Sexting Picture Published by NBCActionNews”
We’ve been getting lots of responses on both sites to the Teen Sexting article. I thought I’d share just a couple of them with you and ask for your opinion.
I tried to pick a picture from Google Images that was as modest as possible and that had already been shown nationwide. There are far more graphic pictures listed there, just in case you thought this was just an innocent fad.
To me, it is interesting that the second commenter here listed themselves as Anonymous, with no way listed to reply to them directly.
What do you think?
Comment #1
JeffZ April 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm (Edit)
The problem with US “child” pornography laws is that they make no distinction between of young children being horrifically abused on film or in photographs and young adults as old as 17 engaged in completely normal healthy consensual sexual behavior that just happens to be filmed or photographed even by the participants for private use. Not that young adults under 18 should be allowed to be professional adult entertainment models, but a distinction needs to be made so that the US laws are brought in line with the generally accepted definition and in line with reality.
Response to Comment #1
Dear JeffZ,
I agree with you. We need to protect young people NOT make them felons.
I’m not in favor of legalizing “sexting”, primarily because it allows for such wide distribution and so many abuses.
Thank you for your comment,
Brennan
Comment #2
Anon April 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm (Edit)
Honestly, this is bull s*** that they would consider this child pornography. I really don’t think it should be a misdemeanor either. Not legalized, per se, but definitely decriminalized. It’s not inherently bad…
But really, child porn possession is a crap charge anyways. It is basically the same as being arrested for having pictures of a murder on your phone.
Regardless of this, there are many other victims. I.e. school officials that investigate the claims of sexting can get fired, given the same felonies. This is unjust and criminal to say the least.
Response to Comment #2
Dear Anon,
While I agree this should not be a felony, we disagree that “it’s not inherently bad”.
I feel in my heart that this is an unfortunate “titillation” that can have devastating consequences, especially for a young man or woman who does not have the knowledge or experience to understand how widespread those images CAN become.
I guess I’m just too old but I was raised to believe that exposing one’s body and private parts to another person was something that should be done in a bedroom or, if a bedroom is not available, in the back seat of a car – with the windows steamed-up so no one could pruriently spy on you.
I definitely disagree that child porn possession is a “crap charge”. There is NO EXCUSE FOR IT, because child porn must be deliberately sought out, and is only done by those who are pedophiles or engaged in selling the material to pedophiles.
I DO AGREE with your final statement! School officials must be very judicious in how they handle ANY complaints/instances of a sexual nature because they are under severe scrutiny from the public.
As the spouse of a retired teacher, I’m aware that school officials are in a double-bind: They are hesitant to involve the police because of the harm they might needlessly do to a student. But investigating on their own can be seen as prurient interest and be legally liable.
As I say, it’s a double-bind.
Tell me please, how do you feel about this subject.
Thanks,
Brennan
Sexting, Teenagers and Felony Child Pornography
“Teenagers, Sexting with Cell Phones
and Felony Child Pornography”
April is Child Abuse Prevention month. This is a month to become aware of the different types of child abuse and what we can do to prevent or diminish it.
There just may be one type of child abuse that you aren’t familiar with – “sexting” – which is becoming more widespread daily.
We all know that cell phones with cameras have opened up a whole new world of possibilities for users. Unfortunately, many youngsters are abusing themselves and others with a new type of texting, involving graphic displays. Statistics show that up to 18% of teenage girls (almost one in five) has participated.
Whether the explicit displays are of blatant nudity and sex acts, violence, drunkeness and/or drug use, teenagers are not only breaking laws, they are also doing long-term damage to themselves or others.
While teenagers may view “sexting” (a combination of texting and graphic images) as the cool thing to do, there is much more at stake.
Though many teens see sexting as “paparazzi for teens”, it is much more serious than they know.
Because sexting usually involves participants under the age of 18, the graphic images actually are considered Child Pornography.
This means teens who participate in sexting can be prosecuted under Felony Child Pornography laws and be labeled as a “sex offender” for a period of 20 years.
Felony Sex Offenders?
Sexting is explicit and stupid, but do we want to label these young people as “Felony Sex Offenders”? I think not!
On the other hand, I definitely disagree with the Vermont legislature that wants to legalize sexting. This is a nasty problem in every state, but legalizing it is NOT the solution, in my opinion.
Perhaps Ohio has the right idea – make sexting a misdemeanor, rather than a felony.
This is a problem that can be mostly stopped by explaining a few facts of life and law to teens and preteens.
Experts say that the way to approach teens is NOT to discuss the matter as an issue of RIGHT or WRONG, but as an issue of COOL vs. UNCOOL! In other words, speak to teens in their language.
- Teens need to know that the practice of “tagging” is increasing. That’s when someone gets access to the explicit photo and broadcasts it online. This can be done by ANYONE and the results spread like wildfire, especially among internet predators and pedophiles.
- Reports show that MySpace posts about drugs, sex and violence are increasing (up to an estimated one half of all postings) and being spread worldwide.
- Teens need to know that any information posted about them online is available to anyone, including future employers, as well as the creepy internet predators and pornographers mentioned before.
Google Yourself
As a precautionary measure, it would be wise for parents to suggest that their child Google’s their own name, nickname and screen names, to see what information and what websites they are already on. This can be eye-opening. In fact, this is a good idea for parents as well.
Another bit of advice for parents is to scan the teen’s MySpace/Facebook/Twitter sites, or any others they belong to. Experts suggest you can give them a few hours warning so they have time to remove any inappropriate material, which is very desirable. Knowing that parents will be monitoring those sites on an ongoing basis is an excellent preventative.
Another Epidemic “Sign of the Times”
We now have the Sexting Epidemic, to go along with the Pregnancy, Obesity and Dropout Epidemics.
Parents and all concerned citizens need to become aware of what is really happening out there in the world with our young people.
It’s time for CHANGE!
What do you think?
Brennan
New Teachers – Survival of the Fittest
Surviving As A New Teacher
Everyone seems to think that teachers have such an easy job. Maybe the fact that school is out during the summer has something to do with it (though most teachers work or pursue higher education during the summer break).
Do teachers really have an easy job . . . ?
Don’s youngest daughter, Dawn, who lives in California (and homeschooled her youngsters), emailed us the following little script.
I thought you might enjoy it also.
* * * * *
THE TEACHER APPLICANT
After being interviewed by the school administration,
the teaching prospect said, “Let me see if I’ve got this right:
You want me to… go into that room with all those kids,
1. correct their disruptive behavior,
2. observe them for signs of abuse,
3. monitor their dress habits,
4. censor their T-shirt messages,
5. and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to..
6 – check their backpacks for weapons,
7 – wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and
8 – raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.
You want me to….
9 – teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and
fair play, and
10 – how to register to vote,
11 – balance a checkbook, and
12 – apply for a job.
You want me to
13 – check their heads for lice,
14 – recognize signs of anti-social behavior, and
1 5 – make sure that they all pass the state exams.
You also want me to
16 – provide them with an equal education regardless of their
handicaps, and
17 – communicate regularly with their parents in English and
Spanish by letter, telephone, conferences, email, homework
hotline, web page, midterm newsletters, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a
bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this and then you tell me……
“I CAN’T PRAY?”
Are you nuts!?!
* * *
Have a great day!
Brennan
Education & Islam in Public Schools
“Islam Is Being Taught in Public Schools!”
For some time, there has been a deep-seated concern about taxpayer funding of public schools that yield inferior results.
However, along with proposals for more charter schools, is the worry that those taxpayer dollars being diverted from public schools are actually being used to promote minority and ethnic agendas. The establishment, and public funding, of a charter elementary school devoted to teaching strictly Islamic studies is already on record.
Any proposals for additional charter schools MUST have some type of regulations to prevent this misuse of taxpayer dollars.
But in California, it’s not a charter school, but regular public school that is flaunting separation of church and state.
The following video is eye-opening, to say the least.
When we are told daily that it is illegal for children to say prayers in our public schools, how has this situation been allowed? Is it ignorance? Another political correctness snafu? Public apathy? Or what . . .
Watch the following video and decide for yourselves.
Religion in Public Schools
When my grandchildren (who live in California) cannot say Christian prayers in school, or carry a Bible onto campus, how is this allowed to happen?
This video is a clear warning to parents EVERYWHERE to examine the textbooks that your child is learning from.
Do you know what those textbooks say?
Do you agree with the information presented? Or NOT!
So . . . What do you think?
Brennan
Politicians Running Education? No! No! No!
Today we have a Guest Post, by my favorite husband, the author of “Set Our Teachers FREE! A Plan To Save Public Education”:
“NO! To More Political Interference In Education”
I’ve been watching and waiting to see what direction Arne Duncan, the new Secretary of Education would take with the $100 BILLION education stimulus dollars he now has at his disposal.
Tuesday, Duncan announced that he wants more mayors involved in running their local school districts – just like Mayor Daley is in charge of Chicago.
Mayoral control of our schools . . . and that’s worked so well in Chicago???
Holy Cow! No! No! No!
Mr. Duncan, who was appointed to his Chicago post by Mayor Daley, had no real previous background in education prior to his appointment. He may have done a good job of straightening out the finances of the district, but education stayed on it’s nose dive.
The dropout rates in the Chicago districts are horrendous and worsening. Parents have staged multiple protests about the quality of education. Numerous episodes of graft and corruption have been reported.
It’s not that I believe Mr. Duncan was responsible for the corruption, but balancing a budget is NOT the same thing as straightening out education.
Now, with the new stimulus monies, we may get some bigger and better buildings but what about students’ learning?
With Mayors running the schools, it’s too easy for emphasis to go on construction, rather than learning. There’s more money in a building boom.
PLUS, while I don’t believe Mayors are necessarily corrupt, they are politicians who want to be re-elected, or promoted.
How many owe favors? Hmmm?
Mr. Duncan says that he will feel he has “failed at his job” if more mayors are not in charge of their school districts by the time he leaves his position. WOW!!!
Unless he was misquoted, and I don’t think he was, I am extremely nervous about the direction he plans to take education.
How many mayors do you think are knowledgeable about improving education?
Are we to be impressed with what has happened in Chicago where, once again, Mayor Daley appointed a NON-educationally-based croney to take Duncan’s place?
Straightening out education needs to be in the hands of people who UNDERSTAND education and how to HELP STUDENTS LEARN!
Political interference in our schools (from the ACLU to others) has been part of the PROBLEM!
Sorry, Mr. Duncan, your mayors MAY give us better-looking school buildings – and probably better football teams – to stimulate the local economy . . .
What about straightening out EDUCATION?
Big beautiful science labs and school campuses may look good, but what use are they when our students are falling to the bottom of the heap in global education results?
Let’s get “the horse before the cart” and start concentrating on STUDENT LEARNING – then we can afford to have some politicos interfering!
C’mon, Dear Reader! What do you think?
Don Kingsland, author
“Set Our Teachers FREE! A Plan To Save Public Education”
