I'm not very good at keeping this thing up to date.
I'll give you a short news update, and probably not return 'til summertime. That way, I might actually put forth some sort of effort in this whole blog thing.
Mason girls admits to 'sexting'
A 15-year-old girl has been charged with "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" in Warren County, Ohio. The girl admitted to sending a nude picture of herself to another minor. The picture was discovered after a boy's cell phone was confiscated for being used during class. The boy, a freshman (age undisclosed), is also being charged with the same offense.
"Honestly?" is the first thing that comes to my mind. First of all, it's disgusting that this girl was sending nude pictures of herself to boys at the age of 15. Second of all, it's disgusting that the school administration looked at the boys phone after confiscating it. Third of all, neither should be charged.
My reasoning: it is not for the courts or the school to decide on matters such as these. The text was private, albeit extremely stupid and open for more viewing from other people. But, the fact is that the charge itself is unsure. If a case comes up that seems to somewhat fit the charge, it is automatically put into the arena of said charge.
Also, I ask, where are the parents? Why is it that we have to have some sort of corporal punishment when these things take place? Let the parents take care of the situation. When the text is seen by others, or becomes any less private than it is at this time, then prosecuting might be the answer. But, honestly, this is no different than the girl getting nude for the boy in a face-to-face situation. The times are changing, and people don't know how to deal with these supposed "awkward" situations anymore. So, instead of showing him in person, she showed him via non-communicative text.
What this really conveys to me is the fact that people are becoming more text based in their communications. Even this blog is proof of that. Young people are getting younger when learning this, so we're bound to see a younger generation doing these types of things.
Also, why was the boy charged? It's not as if he took the picture himself. Of course, he probably asked for the photo, but that still seems diminished to the fact that it being done in a more private situation would have warded a different outcome.
Story taken from Cincinnati Enquirer online, March 13, 2009.
Craig,
ReplyDeleteThought provoking post. Honestly I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Like you said, texting is now a common form of communication between younger people. So yeah, it was dumb, only because she ran the risk of the world seeing it. But isn't that what young people are supposed to do. Make dumb choices and learn from them?
I see no huge issue with sharing between minors. No one should be charged. That's ridiculous! It would be a different story if it were between a minor and an adult. But what if the picture was sent unsolicited?? Then what? Lots to think about.
Thanks,
Bring Back Pluto
"ONE of THE GUYS"