Sexting Scandal story (Mods; this appropriate for multiple threads to discuss?)

[Uniquemind]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/students-could-face-charges-colorado-high-school-sexting-scandal-n459266

So this thread is about sexting specifically because it's been in the news and about 100 students of our age in the USA got caught in a massive sexting ring started and operated by students using special smartphone apps.

Now it's been in the news I expect our parents to really take a look at all our smartphones for these secret apps that hide pictures with a password etc.

Apparently according to the story, pics were traded and swapped, like collectibles.


To further impact the issue, all those caught will apparently get prosecuted by the law and slapped with the label of child pornographers (producing and in possession of it) and sex offender, dooming them to never getting a good paying job.

--

My main question to every is that does this genuinely affect you or could potentially affect you?

Do you sext as part of flirting and dating?

I'd like to post this question/discussion into more than just this section of the forums, but I would like a mod or administrator to give the okay first given it is a very serious issue.

It's gonna impact how our parents respect our privacy on our smartphones, it affects us in dating & relationships given that it is a common way to flirt and keep romance alive or even start it, it affects us directly because if we have naked pictures of ourselves technically we're criminals and our lives will suck from then on due to flaws in the law not keeping up with technology.

-added news link, this being in VT Chronicle. -Emerald Dream

[Gwen]

Way too harsh of a punishment for fucking horny teenagers who all consented to it. Why shame them for life? This isn't helping them learn from their mistakes to improve as it is ruining their life. I'm a legal adult now so it doesn't affect me at all at this point, unless I started sexting with someone under 18 (Then becoming a sex offender would be an acceptable punishment). I think it is perfectly normal that this is happening, teenagers are horny and anybody who thought that this wasn't a risk when they gave their kid a phone is an idiot. We have a lot of stupid laws and regulations that we all have to follow so the kids aren't blameless but this was way over the top for a punishment aimed at a group of teens. They weren't actually hurting anybody or ruining society as we know it.

[Uniquemind]

Way too harsh of a punishment for fucking horny teenagers who all consented to it. Why shame them for life? This isn't helping them learn from their mistakes to improve as it is ruining their life. I'm a legal adult now so it doesn't affect me at all at this point, unless I started sexting with someone under 18 (Then becoming a sex offender would be an acceptable punishment). I think it is perfectly normal that this is happening, teenagers are horny and anybody who thought that this wasn't a risk when they gave their kid a phone is an idiot. We have a lot of stupid laws and regulations that we all have to follow so the kids aren't blameless but this was way over the top for a punishment aimed at a group of teens. They weren't actually hurting anybody or ruining society as we know it.

Well we don't know if all those who participated consented though. Certainly there are more details the media did not release, but it is also possible the reason the sexting ring was caught, was that it was being abused as social leverage for bullying campaigns.

I could totally see that happening, and then you can infer how parents and then law enforcement got wind of it.

[Gwen]

Well we don't know if all those who participated consented though. Certainly there are more details the media did not release, but it is also possible the reason the sexting ring was caught, was that it was being abused as social leverage for bullying campaigns.

I could totally see that happening, and then you can infer how parents and then law enforcement got wind of it.

If that were the case though, and it was the whole ring who was charged; Would that mean the supposed abused victims also became sex offenders? They consented by sending their pictures online. Anything you post in a pm or text always has the chance to end up spread like wildfire, if they had any common sense they would know the risks. Since they obviously didn't have common sense we try and help them by making them sex offenders, not teaching them a lesson or giving them a warning; just straight out sex offenders list? See the disconnect here?

[Uniquemind]

If that were the case though, and it was the whole ring who was charged; Would that mean the supposed abused victims also became sex offenders? They consented by sending their pictures online. Anything you post in a pm or text always has the chance to end up spread like wildfire, if they had any common sense they would know the risks. Since they obviously didn't have common sense we try and help them by making them sex offenders, not teaching them a lesson or giving them a warning; just straight out sex offenders list? See the disconnect here?

Yes that's how the law looks at it.

Because when the law was written about possession and distribution of child pornography, the internet I don't think existed yet.

So nobody had the foresight to write a law with clauses specifically, adding in flexibility to well...the present time and methods of creation and distribution of explicit images.


Also let me make a sidenote: Common sense isn't that common. Also common sense is less common, when we're all sleep deprived anyway because we're dealing with mountains of homework, and school sport activities. In some cases others are even more tired because they're watching younger siblings and might be working a job.

[Gwen]

Yes that's how the law looks at it.

Because when the law was written about possession and distribution of child pornography, the internet I don't think existed yet.

So nobody had the foresight to write a law with clauses specifically, adding in flexibility to well...the present time and methods of creation and distribution of explicit images.

Jury nullification?

[Uniquemind]

Jury nullification?

?

You have to understand that in some cases I think for prosecution purposes, only local county DA's, lawyers, and judges, are involved in convictions like this.

There isn't a need for a jury I don't think in all cases, or even if there was it would be an open and shut case textbook style.

However I do have to research it more to double check, but I am not certain.

Anyway we should all be watching this story to see how it develops and how the law handles the sexting school scandal and how the teens are treated.

That school, could've been my school. That's a fact I have to swallow.

[Gwen]

?

You have to understand that in some cases I think for prosecution purposes, only local county DA's, lawyers, and judges, are involved in convictions like this.

There isn't a need for a jury I don't think in all cases, or even if there was it would be an open and shut case textbook style.

However I do have to research it more to double check, but I am not certain.

Anyway we should all be watching this story to see how it develops and how the law handles the sexting school scandal and how the teens are treated.

That school, could've been my school. That's a fact I have to swallow.

If your country can give the sentence of a convicted sex offender without giving the convicted a jury than you have a lot more issues than just sexting. This isn't a fucking Magistrate court level thing here for like a fine, this is a real fucking issue and in any higher court but the Mags you should be given a jury no matter the crime. Even in the Children's court; murders, rapes, theft, actual sex offenders, etc. all of them get a jury.

[Judean Zealot]

Perhaps this will scare others into stopping this horrific practice. Talk about sexual objectification, anybody?

[Gwen]

Perhaps this will scare others into stopping this horrific practice. Talk about sexual objectification, anybody?

Are you being sarcastic or what here? 'Cause I'm actually having trouble telling :P

[Jinglebottom]

Sexting is way too much of a risk to be worth it.

[Gwen]

Sexting is way too much of a risk to be worth it.

So maybe we should teach those kids that instead of ruining their lives right from the start. :^)

[Judean Zealot]

Are you being sarcastic or what here? 'Cause I'm actually having trouble telling :P

I'm serious. I think it's degrading to people's own dignity, and though the punishment may be overly harsh, hopefully the silver lining will be a reduction in such activities.

[Jinglebottom]

So maybe we should teach those kids that instead of ruining their lives right from the start. :^)
Anyone with access to the news/internet knows about the dangers of sexting. It's no mystery that it can completely destroy your life. Take this girl who used to go to school with me as an example. Her nudes were leaked and she was permanently expelled. Do I feel bad for her? Yes, I do, but she should've known better. Next time you want to show off your body, please do it in person.

[Gwen]

I'm serious. I think it's degrading to people's own dignity, and though the punishment may be overly harsh, hopefully the silver lining will be a reduction in such activities.

You think most modern American teenagers who are interested in sexting and could get 100s of people into it are watching the news? Most people in middle-high school would moan if you forced them to read even 3 articles of a newspaper.. These people can't even live near a school and come up on maps and be treated like shit by employers until they die. Someone's dignity is their own choice, there is so many better ways to handle this that doesn't mean jumping straight to the fuck your life and relations with everything in your future from now on card. Did anyone explain to them that they should care for their bodies more and think about their own dignity? No. They just completely fucked them and now they don't know shit besides that it is too late for them to change their ways now. You can't be an un-sex offender.

Are you going to say to me, right now, that an 8th grader should be labelled as a sex offender and I should look for the unrealistic silver lining in all of this?

Anyone with access to the news/internet knows about the dangers of sexting. It's no mystery that it can completely destroy your life. Take this girl who used to go to school with me as an example. Her nudes were leaked and she was permanently expelled. Do I feel bad for her? Yes, I do, but she should've known better. Next time you want to show off your body, please do it in person.

How many people understand the dangers of unprotected sex and look how widespread that shit is. People know the dangers of drunk driving, doesn't seem to stop it from happening. 3 people from my street alone have been killed by drunk drivers and I bet that drunk drivers aren't going to decrease because of it. Being expelled from school? Sure, no school wants that stuff on their name because it hurts their prestige. Is she facing charges and potentially getting fucked by every bit of the law by it? Doesn't seem so. They made a mistake, so instead of teaching or turning them into good fucking adults we basically are willing to ruin someone's life over it. Do you think these teens are people who can't be near kids or schools and should be publicly shamed on maps and have alarms when searched up by their bosses? If so, then I think everyone here must've dropped their empathy out the window and gone cold blood all of a sudden since they're part of the moral high ground here.

[Jinglebottom]

How many people understand the dangers of unprotected sex and look how widespread that shit is. People know the dangers of drunk driving, doesn't seem to stop it from happening. 3 people from my street alone have been killed by drunk drivers and I bet that drunk drivers aren't going to decrease because of it. Being expelled from school? Sure, no school wants that stuff on their name because it hurts their prestige. Is she facing charges and potentially getting fucked by every bit of the law by it? Doesn't seem so. They made a mistake, so instead of teaching or turning them into good fucking adults we basically are willing to ruin someone's life over it. Do you think these teens are people who can't be near kids or schools and should be publicly shamed on maps and have alarms when searched up by their bosses? If so, then I think everyone here must've dropped their empathy out the window and gone cold blood all of a sudden since they're part of the moral high ground here.
I don't agree with charging them as child pornographers/sex-offenders if they're teens (as that literally makes no sense), I should have mentioned that.

[Gwen]

I don't agree with charging them as child pornographers/sex-offenders if they're teens (as that literally makes no sense), I should have mentioned that.

That is my whole goddamn argument. If they got expelled for it, sure. I understand that is what the school wants to stay in business. I'm peeved about court charges and making people who could be in middle school be classified as sex offenders. I'm not defending them about making bad choices or saying they shouldn't get punished, I'm defending them by saying this is way too far for a bloody 13 year old or something to deal with. Imagine be caught in this mess and being told, if the court goes badly for you, your future job aspects and reputation are going to be immeasurably fucked beyond belief. The problem with giving a be all and end all title, sex offenders are both kids sexting and rapists who hunt 6 year olds. Not like when people see the name sex offender they're going to actually ponder about it, people hear the 2 words together and you may as well of been an actual rapist the way people treat you. See how making someone your age or younger a sex offender because of this makes no sense. I couldn't give a single shit about their dignity or whatever, teenagers and kids are fucking stupid and so was I when I was 15 and I still am to a big extent. But I was able to learn from my mistakes without being labeled Mr Pervert by the law for my whole life. If anyone of those kids actually get that title, any semblance of hope for the American legal system I had goes out the window.

Just a note for Judean Zealot also, I don't condone sexting or what they are doing. I'm trying to point out that some people's live are going to be ruined due to a dumb decision made before they even got 1/5 through their life yet. Decisions that only hurt them and the others who consented to the dumb idea by joining in. They aren't drunk drivers who bring other people standing on the side of the road. Showing forgiveness and teaching the young should be a priority not destroying someone's live as a message. Jesus Christ how do you think punish people as a message sounds like a good idea. The same people who think that are a good idea run under the flags of abusive parenting, terrorism and absolute dictatorships. Maybe we should start caning and whipping kids too to show them a message? No? That sounds like a terrible idea? At least we can agree with something then.

[Jinglebottom]

That is my whole goddamn argument. If they got expelled for it, sure. I understand that is what the school wants to stay in business. I'm peeved about court charges and making people who could be in middle school be classified as sex offenders. I'm not defending them about making bad choices or saying they shouldn't get punished, I'm defending them by saying this is way too far for a bloody 13 year old or something to deal with. Imagine be caught in this mess and being told, if the court goes badly for you, your future job aspects and reputation are going to be immeasurably fucked beyond belief. The problem with giving a be all and end all title, sex offenders are both kids sexting and rapists who hunt 6 year olds. Not like when people see the name sex offender they're going to actually ponder about it, people hear the 2 words together and you may as well of been an actual rapist the way people treat you. See how making someone your age or younger a sex offender because of this makes no sense. I couldn't give a single shit about their dignity or whatever, teenagers and kids are fucking stupid and so was I when I was 15 and I still am to a big extent. But I was able to learn from my mistakes without being labeled Mr Pervert by the law for my whole life. If anyone of those kids actually get that title, any semblance of hope for the American legal system I had goes out the window.
We're on the same page, then. No?

[Gwen]

We're on the same page, then. No?

You're damn right we are. At least I hope we are now. After all that writing it would be a waste if nothing came of it :D

[Uniquemind]

The law definitely needs fixing.

Let's just draw the emotional line here since I sense tensions getting high.

Ironically I think those best suited to change the law are us teens, like those affected by or could be affected by the law if we found ourselves in a situation like in the above story. More proposals for punishments could be made like mandatory 1000 hours of community service, expulsion, or if not expulsion 100 in-house suspension days, and social-respect and proper public behavior classes.

As it is when there is a crime on a mass scale like this perhaps schools need a special year round class about morality, respect, and the law. I suspect that this problem is actually a nationwide problem not just limited to one school based on what I've seen or heard in chatter in the hallways at school, I believe it's directly linked to cyber bullying.

--

I will say this though, if my picture was caught up in that pic sharing ring, and I got wind of it, I would be very suicidal. Because I understand how dooming it is and no therapy counselor has the power to undo it and say "well there's hope".

This is why I don't sext period.

-- Judean Zealot. It might scare some people to stop, but I don't think fear based punishments work well to prevent certain actions, I think the benefits of them have a minimal cap effect.

To rail against sexting the best policy is honesty, plus the acknowledge the fuel that drives people to do that in the first place.

Sexting is something that is ingrained in dating culture now, I can hear arguments that adults do it why can't I counter arguments.

Pragmatically it's here to stay and the law needs to be smarter about it and it's not.

[Judean Zealot]

I'll be honest here, I never even knew this was a very common thing until today, and for that I am thankful. I suppose it's better for me to live on my own rock than in a society like this.

You're right- if the dogs are pervs, what can we expect from the pups?

[Jinglebottom]

I'll be honest here, I never even knew this was a very common thing until today, and for that I am thankful. I suppose it's better for me to live on my own rock than in a society like this.

You're right- if the dogs are pervs, what can we expect from the pups?
It's pretty much expected for "sexting" to be rare in a place like the Middle East. I'm certain the majority of my acquaintances/friends aren't even aware it's a thing.

[Porpoise101]

You think most modern American teenagers who are interested in sexting and could get 100s of people into it are watching the news? Most people in middle-high school would moan if you forced them to read even 3 articles of a newspaper.. These people can't even live near a school and come up on maps and be treated like shit by employers until they die. Someone's dignity is their own choice, there is so many better ways to handle this that doesn't mean jumping straight to the fuck your life and relations with everything in your future from now on card. Did anyone explain to them that they should care for their bodies more and think about their own dignity? No. They just completely fucked them and now they don't know shit besides that it is too late for them to change their ways now. You can't be an un-sex offender.

Are you going to say to me, right now, that an 8th grader should be labelled as a sex offender and I should look for the unrealistic silver lining in all of this?



How many people understand the dangers of unprotected sex and look how widespread that shit is. People know the dangers of drunk driving, doesn't seem to stop it from happening. 3 people from my street alone have been killed by drunk drivers and I bet that drunk drivers aren't going to decrease because of it. Being expelled from school? Sure, no school wants that stuff on their name because it hurts their prestige. Is she facing charges and potentially getting fucked by every bit of the law by it? Doesn't seem so. They made a mistake, so instead of teaching or turning them into good fucking adults we basically are willing to ruin someone's life over it. Do you think these teens are people who can't be near kids or schools and should be publicly shamed on maps and have alarms when searched up by their bosses? If so, then I think everyone here must've dropped their empathy out the window and gone cold blood all of a sudden since they're part of the moral high ground here.
Don't you know that they have assemblies about sexting in middle/highschool? It's not like people don't know the consequences. I think it is at least partially justifiable to be a sex offender but there should be a path to forgiveness after adulthood.

[Jinglebottom]

A sexual exchange via text between two teens of similar or close age should not be categorized as child pornography. Now, if it were between an adult and a minor then I could see why they would get into trouble with the law.

And while I don't support the mere idea of having phone sex (and never will), if two young folks want to engage in the act, let them. I don't think it's right to scrutinize and put them under this negative light, unless there's age-inapropriateness going on.

[Gwen]

The law definitely needs fixing.

Let's just draw the emotional line here since I sense tensions getting high.

Ironically I think those best suited to change the law are us teens who need a more fair changes to the law like 1000 community service, and if not expulsion, 100 in-house suspension days.

When it's on a mass scale like this perhaps schools need a special year round class about morality, respect, and the law.

--

I will say this though, if my picture was caught up in that pic sharing ring, and I got wind of it, I would be very suicidal. Because I understand how dooming it is and no therapy counselor has the power to undo it and say "well there's hope".

This is why I don't sext period.

-- Judean Zealot. It might scare some people to stop, but I don't think fear based punishments work well to prevent certain actions, I think the benefits of them have a minimal cap effect.

To rail against sexting the best policy is honesty, plus the acknowledge the fuel that drives people to do that in the first place.

Sexting is something that is ingrained in dating culture now, I can hear arguments that adults do it why can't I counter arguments.

Pragmatically it's here to stay and the law needs to be smarter about it and it's not.

You summed up my thoughts perfectly, without all my over emotional tone to it all. Very well said :)

[phuckphace]

you guys are forgetting how Internet porn works. let's say a 13 y.o. boy snaps a photo of his dong and sends it to his girlfriend, and/or the girlfriend returns the favor. obviously the two are not "pornographers" in the sense that they aren't running a studio and making money off hawking sex videos. they're being impulsive and senseless in the moment.

however, once the pics appear on the Internet, it's the same result you'd have if the pics in question were snapped by a child pornographer. they end up in child porn archives in the *airquote* Deep Web *airquote* - ask yourself if you'd really be comfortable knowing that your little brother or sister is being leered at simultaneously by a hundred thousand irredeemably fucked-up goons. check out documentaries on the human trafficking and murder that is associated with "people" like those who produce and peddle CP. I'm not going into any more detail because frankly I'd like to enjoy my breakfast later, but after you've seen the details you gain a new appreciation for the "kill them all and let God sort them out" method.

[Falcons_11]

Although I know some kids at my school who do it, I'm to scared to even try to do it.

[Jinglebottom]

Although I know some kids at my school who do it, I'm to scared to even try to do it.
Don't. It's literally social suicide.

[Falcons_11]

Don't. It's literally social suicide.

Thanks Bob...good advice.

[randomuser123]

You have to be dumb to do it.

[pjones]

i don't have a phone, hard to believe but true. my parents don't think me or my brother need one. i have heard kids at school talking about sexting, and guessing some have done it. my opinion, you want someone to see you nude, get together and do it privately. seems dangerous to me to take the risk of having your picture on the internet where you can't control it, plus the laws against it.