The Shocking Consequences of Teen Sexting
Child pornography laws exist for the vital purpose of protecting minors from predators. But when these laws criminalize, humiliate, and permanently damage the reputation of a child as a repercussion of unintentional actions, these laws become problematic. Especially regarding sexting.
The term “sexting” originated in 2004 when two Canadian newspapers used it to describe David Beckham sending sexually explicit messages to his assistant via mobile phone. In 2008, Cosmogirl used the word in a poll that revealed that 1 in 5 teenagers had sent a sexually explicit photograph via mobile device at least once. The term quickly caught on and is now a touchy household subject. When you Google “how to sext” you receive an endless stream of results. According to a guide published last month by Cosmopolitan, when sexting don’t use emojis, cover certain body parts with “fun” doodles using Snapchat’s drawing feature, and send nude full-body shots if you're not afraid to show your face.
Since 2014, statistics show, 24% of high school students ages 14-17 have sent or received a nude photograph. Of those minors who receive this type of photograph, 17% will forward the image to others, and 55% of those sharing the image will share it with more than one person. One must also keep in mind that these statistics reflect only those who have either been caught sexting or have admitted to it, thus the actual percentages could be much higher. This chain reaction poses a serious threat to the sender who typically intends for the photograph to be seen only by the person to whom it was sent. It also dangerously raises the chances of the image getting into the hands of a pedophile.
Although teenage sexting statistics are high, most U.S. states do not have laws that deal specifically with this concern. Therefore, minors caught sending a nude or semi-nude photograph, even if they are the subject of the image, can be prosecuted under the same laws as a creator or distributer of child pornography – an offence that could result in a lifetime prison sentence for someone over the age of 18 (17 in some states) caught sexting with a minor, even if the minor is a consensual 17 year old.
Though there have been no incidences of such severe criminal sentences involving sexting cases of this nature, several reported cases have resulted in minors receiving probation, fines, community service requirements, and having to register as a sex-offender for the duration of their lives. The most harmful of these punishments is the requirement to register as a sex offender, which results in severe damage to the minor’s chances of success when applying to colleges and jobs in the future. It could also result in considerable psychological damage. In this way, with just one text message, a minor could irreversibly alter their life in a dramatically negative way.
Despite widespread negativity surrounding teenage sexting, it is a frequently encouraged pass-time between consenting adults. In August this year, CNN reported on a study conducted by Drexel University's Women's Health Psychology Lab that suggested sexting could be beneficial to a romantic relationship. The study also revealed that 88% of adults ages 18-82 have sexted at least once. Since the publication of this study, a swarm of articles promoting the benefits of sexting have been popping up all over the internet.
This is where a serious issue arises. Teenagers caught sexting are treated like pedophiles by the U.S. court system, criminalized for actions that would be naturalized and celebrated if they were a just few years older, but they are simultaneously bombarded with sexting “tips” and “benefits” during a time in their lives when sexual exploration is new and exciting. Unlike drug use or underage drinking, where strict and explicit laws are in place to minimize minor possession of these substances, sexting is an extremely accessible pastime for minors. There is nobody asking for ID verification, it can be done in the perceived safety and comfort of ones' home, and the action is seemingly innocent. Most minors send photographs of themselves to people with whom they believe themselves to be in a committed relationship, creating a sense of trust and security.
Education on the dangers and consequences of sexting as a minor, such as bullying and/or extreme psychological damage if the image being seen by people for whom it was not intended, is also not a regular practice in schools such as that of underage drinking and drug use. Because of this, the potential consequences are vastly lesser-known even though the statistics of teens consuming alcohol and sending nude photos are nearly identical. Minors should not be criminalized and humiliated for sending photographs of themselves with innocent and natural intentions. Instead, the potential consequences and risks surrounding the distribution of nude photographs should be as widely taught in schools as the dangers of drinking and drug use.
[Photos: Pixabay, Cosmopolitan]
