“Sexting” Dangers Campaign in Pennsylvania

As a follow up to our previous post, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association is mounting an aggressive statewide educational campaign to warn teens and students of the dangers and criminal penalties involved with “sexting”.As noted in this Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article, participants from local bar associations are speaking to students about the what can result from simply sending or posting a suggestive photo via computer or cell phone. The consequences range from personal, educational, and even criminal.

The criminal charges under Pennsylvania law for sexting include possessing or distributing a sexually explicit photo and child pornography charges, for potentially sending or receiving a photo of someone under 18 that may be considered sexually explicit.

Fortunately, the state legislature is working to reduce and reclassify some of the more extreme and inappropriate laws and penalties.  Child pornography is a scary word, and is a very different matter when it is teens exchanging pictures of themselves. Most reasonable people don’t think this kind of clearly inappropriate, but not dangerously criminal activity should not result in felony charged and sex offender status under Megan’s Law.

Juvenile charges that differentiate between possessing and distributing materials, and are only misdemeanor offenses at worst, makes a lot of sens. In addition, it will allow for young people to work though the Pennsylvania juvenile court system, and avoid potential registered sex offender status.

These reforms are fair and rational. We shouldn’t brand kids as sexual felons for life for the bad judgment that often comes with adolescence.

About David Matson