Lawmakers examine legalizing "sexting".

[Fiannan]

Vermont Lawmakers Look To Legalize Teen 'Sexting' - wcbstv.com

Hopefully this will be done in Vermaont and that states across America will follow the lead. While I think that what these teens are doing is unwise and may even be morally wrong -- depending on what their intentions are I shudder at the idea that there are young teens being arrested throughout the US and being charged with the production, possession and distribution of child porn just because they take a naked picture of themselves and send it to a friend via a cell phone.

[Wingnut]

It's not always of themselves...that's the problem. Sometimes it's done in cruelty to other teens. When that's the case, it's not flirting. It's child pornography.

By the way, wasn't Vermont the first state to legalize same-sex marriage?

[Fiannan]

It's not always of themselves...that's the problem. Sometimes it's done in cruelty to other teens. When that's the case, it's not flirting. It's child pornography.

By the way, wasn't Vermont the first state to legalize same-sex marriage?

If someone takes a pic of someone without their permission and forwards it then that can be dealt with through already-existing laws dealing with harassment and intimidation.

The laws are so dumb now that technically a gal could have been skinnydipping with friends when she was 15, had a picture taken in which she is the only person shown, put it in her journal for what she did in 2004 and then, now that she is 19 (adult), accidentelly drops her diary while moving into her college dorm in front of a cop and, upon him seeing the photo, she can be arrested for possession of child pornography even though the pic (of a 15 year old) is of her!

[Guest HEthePrimate]

Vermont Lawmakers Look To Legalize Teen 'Sexting' - wcbstv.com

Hopefully this will be done in Vermaont and that states across America will follow the lead. While I think that what these teens are doing is unwise and may even be morally wrong -- depending on what their intentions are I shudder at the idea that there are young teens being arrested throughout the US and being charged with the production, possession and distribution of child porn just because they take a naked picture of themselves and send it to a friend via a cell phone.

I agree. If kids send dirty texts and pictures of themselves, they shouldn't end up being treated like sex offenders. Sexting is unwise. It's immoral. But kids have always done unwise, immoral things at that age when the hormones are raging. I don't think it's a good idea to ruin their lives over that.

Now if they're taking pictures of other kids, that is harassment and they should be taken to task for it. They shouldn't be ruining other kids' lives, either.

HEP

[DigitalShadow]

Vermont Lawmakers Look To Legalize Teen 'Sexting' - wcbstv.com

Hopefully this will be done in Vermaont and that states across America will follow the lead. While I think that what these teens are doing is unwise and may even be morally wrong -- depending on what their intentions are I shudder at the idea that there are young teens being arrested throughout the US and being charged with the production, possession and distribution of child porn just because they take a naked picture of themselves and send it to a friend via a cell phone.

This does not happen often, but I agree completely.

[Maxel]

The laws need to be worked over so that innocent victims and foolish teenagers can get off without having the rest of their lives ruined. Specifically legalizing such degrading and harmful behavior as this is almost worse than doing nothing at all.

Attention should be given to social reform aimed at combating this, however- approaching such an obviously moral issue using the power of the law is, IMO, the wrong way to go about it.

[Hemidakota]

This is where parents need to be parents vice children raising children who are irresponsible.