A 14-year-old boy in England recently sent a naked picture of himself to a fellow classmate over the social media app, Snapchat. The picture was saved, quickly finding its way onto multiple classmate’s cellphones.
Upon hearing the situation, an officer at the boy’s school chose to take action; the police filed a criminal report on the boy, the Snapchat recipient and one other classmate.
One of these two were in the wrong. It’s not the 14-year-old boy.
The aforementioned criminal report is now on permanent file for up to 100 years, will show up in future job interviews for the teenagers and may well have the boy perceived as a sex offender in public perception. Such monumental consequences for a “crime” that has become almost as common as learning how to ride bike.
Drexel University recently surveyed undergraduate students, showing more than 50 percent of those surveyed admitted to sexting when they were minors.
Prosecutors may look at that number and say, “Well, those 50 percent are troubled and likely to repeat more severe sex crimes.” This theory could not be farther from the truth.
Another study published late last year in the journal, "Pediatrics," revealed teenagers who partook in sexting where not more likely to have more sexual partners or use drugs and alcohol than the average person who did not participate in sexting.
As much as they tried, researchers could not find a link between those who sexted and risky sexual behavior.
"Sexting is not associated with either good or poor mental well-being,” associate professor and psychologist at UTMB Jeff Temple said.
If the average, everyday kid is sexting, then why should they be subjected to the same potentially life-altering punishment that adult child molesters receive?
High school student faces 10 years in prison for sexting his teenage girlfriend: http://t.co/lJBYcb9qCP pic.twitter.com/GlQLbnneT5
— RollingOut (@RollingOut) September 9, 2015
The numbers and studies have shown kids of all ages, backgrounds and grade point averages have done this at least once in their lives.
Is it a mistake? Yes, absolutely. However, I make mistakes every day. My classmates, my friends and even my (can you imagine?) professors make mistakes.
Are these slip-ups to the extent of sending naked pictures of myself to others? No, but they are as common as the act of sexting has become, which is why we as a society, law enforcement in particular, need to take a step back and avoid ruining a teenagers life for taking part in an increasingly frequent activity.
If law enforcement is not going to relax its grip over sexting, then the least they can do is educate teenagers about the risks, deterring the young generation to stop before they even start.
In the same study taken at Drexel University, 61 percent of respondents stated that they were unaware of potential ramifications and consequences sexting could provoke.
Yall want to charge a minor as an adult for sexting his girlfriend...but prosecute an adult rapist like a teenager. pic.twitter.com/1dFLuNgbpV
— #SayHerName (@naturallyelsa) September 7, 2015
In a follow-up response, 59 percent reported that previous knowledge of potential legal trouble would have completely prevented them from sexting.
How can our society truly expect teenagers not to sext if they believe there are no legal risks involved?
If law enforcement is going to be so quick to file a criminal report and alter a teenager’s life forever, then police forces need to be equally as quick to hold seminars at middle schools and junior highs speaking on the dangers of sexting.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not proposing we endorse the act of sexting, but condemning it isn’t the answer either.
Related Links:
Sexting seeking parental supervision
Reach the columnist at spencerhann1995@gmail.com or follow @spencer_hann on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Want to join the conversation? Send an email to opiniondesk.statepress@gmail.com. Keep letters under 300 words and be sure to include your university affiliation. Anonymity will not be granted.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
