Noah LevinPittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009Carnegie Mellon University

Style of this presentation borrowed with love from Garrett Dimon’s presentation:“Improving Interface Design”, 2007

“Sexting”

Problem, Case Studies, Current Legislation

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Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009

Background

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting

Wikipedia

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phones.

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http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2009/01/23/05

MARK RASCH

All you look at is, is this a nude or seminude or suggestive photograph, and is the person depicted in it a minor? And that is enough to warrant a criminal prosecution for child pornography.

A Few Case Studies13 year olds from PA. three girls charged with child pornography from sending photos of themselves in bra’s

14 year old from NJ. charged with child pornography for posting 30 myspace photos

17 students in PA. charged with distributing photos of nude female classmates

18 year old from OH. committed suicide after a nude photo was spread around her high school

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http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/bills/intro/S-125.pdf

Vermont Legislation

This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 13 years old, and the child knowingly and voluntarily and without threat or coercion used an electronic communication device to transmit an image of himself or herself to the person.

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http://www.ohio.com/news/nation/43019527.html

ohio Legislation

It would make sexting a first-degree misdemeanor for minors. They could still face jail time, but more likely the teens would receive counseling or some kind of probation.

Utilitarianism, Situational Ethics, Public Scrutiny

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Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009

Teleological Approach

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Public Scrutiny

Legal Paternalism

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A G E

Expectation of Privacy75% of teens understood the negative consequences of sexting before they did it

40% of teens send suggestive text messages, 20% sent nude or semi-nude text messages

45% of teens say its common for the messages to be shared outside of intended recipients

http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/ - 653 teens surveyed

Kantian Ethics, Right-Based, Absolutist

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Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009

Deontological Approach

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AbsolutistWhat’s wrong is wrong.

At what age do people begin face consequences?

In Vermont, an 18 year old can be hit with 5-week sessions, but maybe 5 days later on his 19th birthday he’s a ‘sex offender’.

Categorical ImperativeInteresting gender difference issues; would a male be bullied the same way?

If all cases of pictures under the category of child pornography should be handled the same way, are all pictures actually created equal?

http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/30/1249237

Bennett Haselton’s Idea

ObligationsWe have a duty to respect other individuals and ourselves, and transmitting messages is disrespecting both of these parties.

Under this line of reason, sexting should not be tolerated, but what about the punishment?

Is treating everyone the same way by placing child pornography accurate?

One possible solution to teen sexting

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Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009

My Argument

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Education.In light of this technology, we need to pass legislation at the House that lessens the charges for lewd teen to teen cell phone communications.

They should under very few circumstances be charged with child pornography, but rather promote educational programming and probationary periods.

We must also push for nationwide advertising to keep family’s informed.

Responsibility.I also believe that those taking the compromising photos are just as responsible, even with the consent of the ‘subject’, because they are aware of the consequences. Again:

Creation, Transmission, and Reception of teen “sexting” must be observed.

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http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2009/04/27/9257671-sun.html

EDWARD GREENSPAN

We are talking about teens acting carelessly with technology…teen sexting is not child pornography.

FYIMay 23, 2009

Pittsburgh Pundits

Late Night - Cabaret Theater

A comedy show with a panel discussion on sexting and other matters of sex and law.

412.325.6769

ANY QUESTIONS?

Thank you!