I gotta throw the BS flag on this whole issue! Our kids are being held to different legal standards than we as adults are. These kids can't vote, can't buy a car, can't drink, can't serve their country but they CAN be labelled a child sex offender for life for sending a nude or semi nude picture of their own body to someone who has most likely seen the real thing!!! Bull Crap. I have three teenagers. Two girls and a boy.
I don't want any of them to "sext" anyone. I don't advocate it in any way shape or form. However, if my 16.5 year old daughters choose to do so, then that is no different than my wife sending one to me. As long as the "partner" is not an adult I can't say that I would want any charges to be filed. If this involves and adult and a minor then yes, I see an issue. Especially if the adult instigates. But then again... what if the girl next door decides she likes you and sends you a "sext" to get your attention. You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't start it. You didn't ask for the pictures. But hey... you are a child sex offender for life. Lot's of different scenarios to think about. I'd say that the legal system hasn't caught up with society and technology on this issue. Still bullcrap for teens to send to teens and get arrested for it. They screw each other and don't get arrested. Why should they get arrested for pictures? Now forwarding the pictures to other teens is another area to think about. I don't think it is worth a life time sentence for sending picture to your BF or GF, or for receiving a picture from your BF or GF. However, if you then forward that picture without their consent...
later,
ngh