R Petty's New Media Blog

Recently, the Pew Research Center released findings on teens (aged 12-17) and their propensity to sext or send dirty text messages. While only 4% reported that that had SENT a sext in the past and 15% claim to have received one, but we all know with a sensitive subject concerning something like a cell phone (often paid for by a parent) and sex (something those same parents hope is not happening yet), many respondents would be less apt to answer honestly. This happens in survey situations whether there are perceived immediate consequences or not. And it’s always a safer bet to be the innocent receiver of such a taboo item, rather than being the sender so the disparity in that finding is also a no-brainer. Plus the number of self-proclaimed sext-ers increases to 17% when the teen pays for their own mobile. Hmmm, no one else able to call the cell carrier and ask for a print out of all the incoming and outgoing messages means more daring on the part of the teen. Once again, makes sense.

Consider what one respondent said about her past sexting: “When I was about 14-15 years old, I received/sent these types of pictures. Boys usually ask for them or start that type of conversation. My boyfriend, or someone I really liked asked for them. And I felt like if I didn’t do it, they wouldn’t continue to talk to me. At the time, it was no big deal. But now looking back it was definitely inappropriate and over the line.” It’s the same kind of pressure that young girls have had to deal with for generations during the teen years, but this new method offers more dire consequences than the usual he-said/she-said rumor mill; photographic and text proof of falling for the guy’s lines. The Pew study also found that the more intensely a teen uses their mobile device, the more likely they are to engage in sexting. This makes perfect sense; as you become more familiar and comfortable with any technology, the more likely you are to try daring or unfamiliar activities on said technology.

Many states are looking to combat the problem with the force of a sledgehammer in place of a flyswatter by trying to institute child pornography penalties on teens who have been exposed in sexual photographs on the mobile phones of others, as well as penalities for those who are the owners of those same devices. This is just prosecution of the victim in the case of those who had been photographed. Talk about injustice! It’s bad enough you made an error in judgment and either took/had a naughty photo taken of you, but now to be sentenced as if you were some sleezy back-alley kiddy-porn king! And for those owning the device housing the photo in question? Imagine those racing hormones and being given a free nudie photo…how many do you think would immediately erase it and chastise the person who sent it to them as a pornographer? Not many.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t like this idea any more than the parent of a teen would. I think of my younger sister and I don’t want to think of what she uses her cell for now that she’s 22, let alone what she would have done at age 16! But this kind of legislation is not going to work. And parents agree because they are coming forward and counter-suing the lawyers, with the help of the ACLU.

So what do we do to help these young persons realize that they are not invincible, that these kinds of casual indiscretions and lapses in judgment will haunt them, because NOTHING CAN BE TRULY DELETED FROM THE INTERNET? Warn them of the possible consequences, tell them the possible scenarios they can get in trouble for and then let them deal with the chips if they fall? Sounds like giving kids bad ideas and asking them not to act them out. Ban cell phones for anyone under age 18? Also, a definite fix for the problem, but also extreme and something many teens and parents alike will not be fond of.

Any other ideas?