Transcript Sexting Criminal Teen Trend The act of sending sexually explicit messages, semi nude or nude photos via cell phone cameras and messaging features, usually.

Sexting
Criminal Teen Trend
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The act of sending sexually explicit
messages, semi nude or nude photos
via cell phone cameras and messaging
features, usually between young
people.
What is Sexting?
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—A survey
of teens and young adults reported
that 1 in 5 teens and one-third of 20-somethings
have electronically sent or posted online nude
or semi-nude pictures or video of themselves.
Sexting
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Sexting
22%
of teen girls,
18% of teen boys and
11% of young teen
girls
(13-16) have sent
nude photos of
themselves
electronically
Over
a third of teen
boys and 40% of
young men have
reported receiving or
seeing ‘private’ photos.
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Sexting
15
percent of
males are
disseminating
explicit images when
they break up with
their girlfriends
Girls
are too
trusting of their
boyfriends, thinking
they’ll never do such
a terrible thing.
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—More
females do it
than males, but it is
pretty close. Most
often it is between
boyfriend and
girlfriend, but
sometimes it is about
letting someone know
you are interested in
hooking up.
Sexting
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—The
practice is causing controversy and
disruption on school grounds throughout the
nation and has generated problems for law
enforcement. Laws that were written to protect
minors against pedophiles have not yet caught up
with technology.
—Some
middle schools report sexting is their #1
behavioral problem.
Sexting
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The transmission of communications, posting of
harassing messages, direct threats, social
cruelty, or other harmful texts, sounds, or
images on the Internet, social networking sites,
or other digital technologies…
Cyberbullying
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The connection between Sexting and
Cyberbullying
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—18
year old Jessica Logan of Cincinnati Ohio
was viciously harassed by girls who knew her
nude photo had been sent around by Jessica’s
ex-boyfriend. For months she faced taunts of
“slut”, “porn-queen” and “whore”.
Victim of Sexting
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—Insults
were posted on Jessica’s Facebook and
MySpace pages.
—She
became introverted and missed school
on local TV, identity concealed – to
“make sure no else goes through this”.
—Appeared
Victim of Sexting
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3, 2008 – Jessica hanged herself in her
bedroom, and was found by her mother. Her
cell phone on the floor.
—July
Victim of Sexting
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Sexting – Psycho-Social Effects
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Sexting – What teens should ask…
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—Under
federal law, persons convicted of child
porn or exploitation may face:
◦ Minimum 5 years in prison up to maximum 20 years.
—Sending
sexually explicit images of minors on
cell phones is punishable by California law:
◦ Up to 3 years and $2500 fine
◦ 3 year statue of limitations
—Lifetime
duty to register as
sex offender
Sexting: Legal Aspects
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—PC
311: Definition of “Obscene Matter”:
◦ Matter taken as a whole that to the average person
applying contemporary statewide standards, appeals
to the prurient interest , as a whole, depicts or
describe sexual conduct in an offensive way.
—PC
311.11: Possession or control of matter
depicting minor engaging in or simulating
sexual conduct.
California Penal Code
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—Ed
Code 48900(r): says a student may be
suspended or expelled if he/she engaged in an
act of bullying, including, but not limited to,
bullying committed by means of an electronic
act.
—Ed Code 48900.4: prohibits ‘harassment,
threats, intimidation’.
California Education Code
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—Ed
Code 48900.2: ‘[sexual harassment] must be
… sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a
negative impact upon the individual’s academic
performance or to create an intimidating,
hostile, or offensive educational environment’.
California Education Code
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—Students
may face both Penal Code and Ed
Code sanctions – no double jeopardy applies.
—Parents may be subject to criminal prosecution
and civil litigation.
Penal Code vs. Education Code
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oFlorida: 18 year old Philip Albert, was convicted and
sentenced to 5 years’ probation and required to
register as a sex offender for sending naked photo of
his 16 year old girlfriend to her family and friends after
an argument.
o Ohio: 13 year old boy is facing felony charges after a
video of sexual activity was found on his cell phone.
oNew York: 16 year old boy facing up to 7 years in
prison for forwarding nude photo of his girlfriend to his
friends
Sexting - Case Studies
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o
Alabama: Authorities arrested 4 middle school students for
exchanging nude photos of themselves.
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Ohio: 15 year old boy sentenced to house arrest, 100
hours of community service, counseling, and 30 days of
probation for possessing nude photo of a 15 year old girl
on his cell phone. Girl pictured was sentenced to 100
hours community service, counseling and no cell phone
use for 30 days.
Sexting - Case Studies
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San Bernardino County: 12 year old 6th grader is facing
possible charges of PC 311.11 for disseminating video
of herself masturbating along with sending nude
pictures through her cell phone. An unpopular student,
she was trying to gain attention and popularity.
Sexting - Case Study
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— Be
careful with the
evidence!
— A Washington DC
administrator was charged
with possession of child
porn for preserving
evidence on his own cell
phone.
— Also charged with failing to
report child abuse –
administrators are
mandated reporters.
Sexting – School Administration
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Great Britain
United States
Australia
New Zealand
Sexting - A “Global Issue” on the
rise
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— Begins with Awareness
— Be clear on teen’s
phone usage
— Know capabilities of
phone
— Review teen’s phone
images
— This should be
prearranged
— Inspect with teen
present
— Be age-sensitive
regarding teen’s privacy
Prevention: 1st Part of Parental
Duties
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— Educate
your kids on
sexting
— Discussion won’t increase
sexting, but dispel its
mystery and aura
— Teen will know adult world
is on top of the issue
— Emphasize: sexting is
cruel and degrading, can
lead to anxiety,
depression, a lifetime of
embarrassment and highly
illegal.
Educating Your Teen about Sexting
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—Consider
if images should be turned over to law
enforcement
—If more risqué than revealing, consider home
discipline
—1st: confiscate phone, suspend usage
—Explain seriousness of offense
—Have images been sent?
—Explain law enforcement’s role
Parent Intervention: Must Be Immediate
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—Have
teen write paper on dangers and
consequences of sexting
—Have teen meet with SRO or officer to discuss
dangers of sexting
—Write apology to recipient(s) apologizing for
jeopardizing them
—Replace phone w/cameraless one
—Place teen on phone probation & review
randomly
In Following Up…
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Sexting represents a growing threat to
teenagers. It is not only harmful, it can lead
to stiff legal problems, emotional problems
and a lifetime of embarrassment.
Parents should approach
sexting with goals of
prevention, education
and, if necessary,
intervention and
punishment….
In Summary
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San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
Public Affairs Division
Dep. Frank Navarro, Juvenile Intervention Program Coordinator
[email protected] / 909-387-3419
Clark Morrow, Crime Prevention Program Coordinator
[email protected] / 909-387-0629
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