Sexting Among Teenagers Research Paper
Manuel Flores
Professor Rudd
English 101
December 8, 2014
Negative Use of Cellular Telephones:
Sexting among Teenagers
Teenagers are interacting with other teens through mobile devices where they send their explicit messages or photographs. However, not only does sexting occur through mobile devices, but also through social media. Social media does take a major role in this situation as well, because it is where these photos will be leaked to and eventually they are able to be shared. Once one is caught “sexting” one will have consequences which could leave a person charged with “child pornography” and possibly go to jail for up to 10 years, or be forced to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Thus, mobile devices have …show more content…
improved and more teens are now capable of sending their messages/pictures in a faster way through these media devices. Therefore, cellular telephones is just as harmful and can lead many teens in danger and in risk of criminal actions if not used properly.
In today’s society we face many changes and those changes can be both negative and positive. For example, technology is one of those changes we see in today’s world and that is because each and every year technology is improving and expanding nationwide. However, as technology expands more teenagers are able to get ahold of these devices and eventually have full control of mostly everything. Abigail M. Judge in “Sexting” Among U.S. Adolescents: Psychology and Legal Perspectives writes, “The cell phone is one of many electronic technologies that adolescents in the United States use regularly to express emotional experience and navigate developmental demands”. As teenagers start to interact with one another they start to get comfortable and request for these so called “sexually explicit pictures” or texts from each other. However, they do not realize the consequences that are brought upon if they get “caught in the action” and eventually it continues and soon it spreads around the internet.
Now that one has been introduced to these new devices or social media networks it allows these sexual explicit photos to be released via text, Bluetooth, social media, and webcam where it will all end up easily and rapidly in cyberspace, written by Shelley Walker, Lena Sanci and Meredith Templesmith in Sexting and young people. These devices being improved show us the negative impact that is around teenagers and the images that are sent out become their digital footprint, which will follow them wherever they decide to go. However, teenagers are young and do not realize much, but what they do not realize is that these pictures they send will follow them if they wish to apply to universities, or if someone has hatred towards them it can be easily looked for online, and if they wish to start a career it will show up. Lawrence G.
Walters in How to Fix the Sexting Problem: An Analysis of the Legal and Policy Considerations for Sexting Legislation writes, “Often juveniles prosecuted for this behavior end up being included on the public sex offender registry alongside the worst child molesters and pedophiles”. As the result of sending their explicit pictures or messages one has to obey the laws and deal with the consequences that are given. Although they are minors, they still knew the consequences for sending their explicit message or photos. Walters also explains, “Recent statistics suggest that 39% of all teens have sent or posted a ‘sexually suggestive message’ and that 48% of all teens have ‘received such messages’. Not one but many teens have send an explicit message or photograph through social media or through their personal cell phones. However, receiving the message is not the same as opening the message and still many teens make the wrong …show more content…
decision.
In the meantime, if California Senate Bill 919 passes in January 2013, this policy would be effective because schools will now be able to suspend or expel students for their irresponsible behavior. This would allow student to now realize what they did and be more informed on the situation, but also to learn from their mistake. Reporter Canan Tasci in Penalty for sexting writes, “Although the bill hasn 't been signed into law, education officials said it will help in prevention and informing the public of the act”. Once this bill gets signed it will be in effect and give schools the right to suspend or expel a student. The reason behind the suspension or expulsion is to get ahold of the situation and not let it escalate. Reporter Bill Bertrand in Penalty for sexting explains, “Anytime there is something legislative, it raises a better awareness among the parents and community members”. As this bill rises to one’s attention it elaborates itself onto the public’s ears and allows them to get a better understanding of what the bill is and how it works, and realize the danger of their actions
Nonetheless, the community and parents ought to keep an eye on their teen-agers, social media, and mobile devices that are being used. There are a variety of ways parents or the communities can do so, one of the ways that the community can help to address the problem could be by providing regular presentations on sexting, and how it can affect a teen’s life. Art Bowker and Michael Sullivan also explain, “As the first line of defense against this problem, law enforcement personnel and educators should provide regular presentations—and numerous excellent information sources exist to draw from—to young people on Internet safety and the repercussions of inappropriate online behavior”. That being said, schools should be responsible for holding workshops, presentations, or classes during school hours to have a better understanding on sexting so one is knowledgeable.
California Senate Bill 919 defines sexting as the sharing of a photograph or messages that show a minor’s exposed or visible private body parts. This bill states that a student may be suspended or expelled for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit material through a cellphone or other electronic devices. However, this bill is motionless and not in effect but it is waiting for approval by the Senate and then must be signed into law by the governor. Reporter Canan Tasci in Penalty for Sexting writes, “California SB 919, which was approved by the Assembly Education Committee on July 6, 2011 next faces a review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If approved, it must return to the Senate for concurrence on amendments”. If Senate Bill 919 passes the school system will now be able to prevent sexting among youths and keep teenagers from having to register as a sex offender.
Moreover, sexting is a problem because one is exposing themselves to people they do not know and more importantly they are exposing themselves on the internet where it will never be taken off. Yes, one is able to share one’s picture with friends but once that picture goes out it will never leave one alone. If uploaded onto your “Facebook” account, it will never go away because one person can chain it and share it with all of his or her friends. Christy Matte writes, “Photos and videos sent privately can easily be shared with others. Once digital images are out there, they leave a digital footprint, especially online. You can’t “take it back” (Matte). The photo sent privately is not going to be private anymore because of your decision of sending it to be amusing or to prove a point. It will be your mark you leave behind and that decision you made will be one that you cannot forget. Christy Matte writes, “51% of teen girls are citing pressure from guys as a reason to send explicit messages, while only 18% of teen boys say so” (Matte). Because of peer pressure teen girls are the ones who mainly start the chain of sending their explicit messages/photos.
Nonetheless, if one is caught sexting through their mobile device or through the internet one is able to be charged with child pornography, be sentenced to 10 years in jail, or be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of once life. Reporter Art Bowker and Michael Sullivan in Sexting: Risky Actions and Overreactions wrote, “If you forward a sexual picture of someone underage, you are as responsible for these images as the original sender. One could face child pornography charges, go to jail, and have to register as a sex offender”. This states that one wouldn’t want to be the original sender of a picture because of the serious consequences that follow. Writer Catherine Arcabascio in Sexting and Teenagers: OMG R U Going to Jail??? writes:
Recently, law enforcement officers in several states have arrested teenagers who have sent sexually explicit photographs of themselves, as well as the recipients of those photographs.
These teenagers have been either charged or threatened with charges of child pornography, and appellate courts have upheld convictions against teenagers on these charges. Consequently, some of those teens have been required to register as sex offenders, a status that will stay with them for decades.
Think twice before pressing send because the consequences are quite brutal and one doesn’t want to be registered as a sex offender for life.
Work Cited
Walters, Lawrence G. "How to fix the sexting problem: an analysis of the legal and policy considerations for sexting legislation." First Amend. L. Rev. 9 (2010): 98.
Bowker, Art, M.A., and Michael Sullivan, J.D. "Sexting: Risky Actions and Overreactions." FBI. N.p., July 2010. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.
Arcabascio, Catherine. "SEXTING AND TEENAGERS: OMG RUGoing 2 JAIL???.” Richmond Journal of Law & Technology 16.3: 1.
Judge, Abigail M. " 'Sexting ' Among U.S. Adolescents: Psychological And Legal Perspectives." Harvard Review Of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd) 20.2 (2012): 86-96. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
Walker, Shelley, Lena Sanci, and Meredith Temple-Smith. "Sexting And Young People." Youth Studies Australia 30.4 (2011): 8-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec.
2014.
Professor Rudd
English 101
December 8, 2014
Negative Use of Cellular Telephones:
Sexting among Teenagers
Teenagers are interacting with other teens through mobile devices where they send their explicit messages or photographs. However, not only does sexting occur through mobile devices, but also through social media. Social media does take a major role in this situation as well, because it is where these photos will be leaked to and eventually they are able to be shared. Once one is caught “sexting” one will have consequences which could leave a person charged with “child pornography” and possibly go to jail for up to 10 years, or be forced to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Thus, mobile devices have …show more content…
improved and more teens are now capable of sending their messages/pictures in a faster way through these media devices. Therefore, cellular telephones is just as harmful and can lead many teens in danger and in risk of criminal actions if not used properly.
In today’s society we face many changes and those changes can be both negative and positive. For example, technology is one of those changes we see in today’s world and that is because each and every year technology is improving and expanding nationwide. However, as technology expands more teenagers are able to get ahold of these devices and eventually have full control of mostly everything. Abigail M. Judge in “Sexting” Among U.S. Adolescents: Psychology and Legal Perspectives writes, “The cell phone is one of many electronic technologies that adolescents in the United States use regularly to express emotional experience and navigate developmental demands”. As teenagers start to interact with one another they start to get comfortable and request for these so called “sexually explicit pictures” or texts from each other. However, they do not realize the consequences that are brought upon if they get “caught in the action” and eventually it continues and soon it spreads around the internet.
Now that one has been introduced to these new devices or social media networks it allows these sexual explicit photos to be released via text, Bluetooth, social media, and webcam where it will all end up easily and rapidly in cyberspace, written by Shelley Walker, Lena Sanci and Meredith Templesmith in Sexting and young people. These devices being improved show us the negative impact that is around teenagers and the images that are sent out become their digital footprint, which will follow them wherever they decide to go. However, teenagers are young and do not realize much, but what they do not realize is that these pictures they send will follow them if they wish to apply to universities, or if someone has hatred towards them it can be easily looked for online, and if they wish to start a career it will show up. Lawrence G.
Walters in How to Fix the Sexting Problem: An Analysis of the Legal and Policy Considerations for Sexting Legislation writes, “Often juveniles prosecuted for this behavior end up being included on the public sex offender registry alongside the worst child molesters and pedophiles”. As the result of sending their explicit pictures or messages one has to obey the laws and deal with the consequences that are given. Although they are minors, they still knew the consequences for sending their explicit message or photos. Walters also explains, “Recent statistics suggest that 39% of all teens have sent or posted a ‘sexually suggestive message’ and that 48% of all teens have ‘received such messages’. Not one but many teens have send an explicit message or photograph through social media or through their personal cell phones. However, receiving the message is not the same as opening the message and still many teens make the wrong …show more content…
decision.
In the meantime, if California Senate Bill 919 passes in January 2013, this policy would be effective because schools will now be able to suspend or expel students for their irresponsible behavior. This would allow student to now realize what they did and be more informed on the situation, but also to learn from their mistake. Reporter Canan Tasci in Penalty for sexting writes, “Although the bill hasn 't been signed into law, education officials said it will help in prevention and informing the public of the act”. Once this bill gets signed it will be in effect and give schools the right to suspend or expel a student. The reason behind the suspension or expulsion is to get ahold of the situation and not let it escalate. Reporter Bill Bertrand in Penalty for sexting explains, “Anytime there is something legislative, it raises a better awareness among the parents and community members”. As this bill rises to one’s attention it elaborates itself onto the public’s ears and allows them to get a better understanding of what the bill is and how it works, and realize the danger of their actions
Nonetheless, the community and parents ought to keep an eye on their teen-agers, social media, and mobile devices that are being used. There are a variety of ways parents or the communities can do so, one of the ways that the community can help to address the problem could be by providing regular presentations on sexting, and how it can affect a teen’s life. Art Bowker and Michael Sullivan also explain, “As the first line of defense against this problem, law enforcement personnel and educators should provide regular presentations—and numerous excellent information sources exist to draw from—to young people on Internet safety and the repercussions of inappropriate online behavior”. That being said, schools should be responsible for holding workshops, presentations, or classes during school hours to have a better understanding on sexting so one is knowledgeable.
California Senate Bill 919 defines sexting as the sharing of a photograph or messages that show a minor’s exposed or visible private body parts. This bill states that a student may be suspended or expelled for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit material through a cellphone or other electronic devices. However, this bill is motionless and not in effect but it is waiting for approval by the Senate and then must be signed into law by the governor. Reporter Canan Tasci in Penalty for Sexting writes, “California SB 919, which was approved by the Assembly Education Committee on July 6, 2011 next faces a review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If approved, it must return to the Senate for concurrence on amendments”. If Senate Bill 919 passes the school system will now be able to prevent sexting among youths and keep teenagers from having to register as a sex offender.
Moreover, sexting is a problem because one is exposing themselves to people they do not know and more importantly they are exposing themselves on the internet where it will never be taken off. Yes, one is able to share one’s picture with friends but once that picture goes out it will never leave one alone. If uploaded onto your “Facebook” account, it will never go away because one person can chain it and share it with all of his or her friends. Christy Matte writes, “Photos and videos sent privately can easily be shared with others. Once digital images are out there, they leave a digital footprint, especially online. You can’t “take it back” (Matte). The photo sent privately is not going to be private anymore because of your decision of sending it to be amusing or to prove a point. It will be your mark you leave behind and that decision you made will be one that you cannot forget. Christy Matte writes, “51% of teen girls are citing pressure from guys as a reason to send explicit messages, while only 18% of teen boys say so” (Matte). Because of peer pressure teen girls are the ones who mainly start the chain of sending their explicit messages/photos.
Nonetheless, if one is caught sexting through their mobile device or through the internet one is able to be charged with child pornography, be sentenced to 10 years in jail, or be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of once life. Reporter Art Bowker and Michael Sullivan in Sexting: Risky Actions and Overreactions wrote, “If you forward a sexual picture of someone underage, you are as responsible for these images as the original sender. One could face child pornography charges, go to jail, and have to register as a sex offender”. This states that one wouldn’t want to be the original sender of a picture because of the serious consequences that follow. Writer Catherine Arcabascio in Sexting and Teenagers: OMG R U Going to Jail??? writes:
Recently, law enforcement officers in several states have arrested teenagers who have sent sexually explicit photographs of themselves, as well as the recipients of those photographs.
These teenagers have been either charged or threatened with charges of child pornography, and appellate courts have upheld convictions against teenagers on these charges. Consequently, some of those teens have been required to register as sex offenders, a status that will stay with them for decades.
Think twice before pressing send because the consequences are quite brutal and one doesn’t want to be registered as a sex offender for life.
Work Cited
Walters, Lawrence G. "How to fix the sexting problem: an analysis of the legal and policy considerations for sexting legislation." First Amend. L. Rev. 9 (2010): 98.
Bowker, Art, M.A., and Michael Sullivan, J.D. "Sexting: Risky Actions and Overreactions." FBI. N.p., July 2010. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.
Arcabascio, Catherine. "SEXTING AND TEENAGERS: OMG RUGoing 2 JAIL???.” Richmond Journal of Law & Technology 16.3: 1.
Judge, Abigail M. " 'Sexting ' Among U.S. Adolescents: Psychological And Legal Perspectives." Harvard Review Of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd) 20.2 (2012): 86-96. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
Walker, Shelley, Lena Sanci, and Meredith Temple-Smith. "Sexting And Young People." Youth Studies Australia 30.4 (2011): 8-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec.
2014.