(Image Source: SFGN)
BY LOGAN TITTLE
ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN
You're watching multisource video political news analysis from Newsy.
Forget drugs, Rhode Island is getting kids to say “No” to sexting.
The state has banned minors from taking and sending personal pics—and even those who receive the explicit photos could find themselves in a not so sexy situation.'
"If a person who receives that sexually explicit image of an underage person sends it out to friends or family, posts it on websites, they could be charged under the state's child pornography laws and could have to register as a sex offender."
(video source: CNN)
That means -- even if the recipient is also a minor -- he or she could go down as a sex offender.
Cranston Patch reports -- this has been a point of contention for many.
Steven Brown, director of the state’s ACLU says...
“It’s shocking that the state would even want to consider … charging a minor for child pornography for this activity… It’s something that parents should worry about their kids doing, but the idea that they could be charged with a felony and face lifetime registration as a sex offender is absolutely [outrageous]...”
On the other hand, some parents tell Providence’s WJAR -- they’re okay with the ban.
"I think they definitely had to do something about it. I mean it's getting out of hand, getting crazy the things they put on Facebook as well. I agree with it. Something had to be done.”
And in a statement, Rhode Island’s attorney general says -- the law doesn’t operate alone -- and parents need to take responsibility as well.
“Talking to children early and often will help to protect them from the dangers that can lurk in cyberspace... Make sure to review your house rules and conduct with your children before giving them access to Web-enabled technologies and cell phones. Along with discussing your expectations for their behavior, discuss the consequences for failing to meet those expectations...”
As for the kids who send out their own pics, PBN says they’ll be charged in Family Court with a “status” offense.
