Question:
I understand there are provocative photos of teens being sent via text/internet and that kids could be prosecuted for forwarding these photos. Please enlighten me on this subject and the potential consequences.Answer:
ParentingTeensOnline expert Elizabeth M. Casparian, Ph.D. is Director of Educational Programs at HiTOPS in Princeton, NJ, where she and her staff provide educational programs to teens and parents throughout New Jersey. She answers:
This is a very good question. The use of cameras on both cell phones and computers has created many situations and concerns that are new to parents and extremely challenging to manage. It is very important for teens and adults to know that sending or forwarding nude or otherwise provocative photos of minors through cell phones or the Internet, is considered “distributing child pornography” and is illegal. Even forwarding a photo of a stranger that someone sends to you is illegal. Law enforcement officials are taking a hard line and prosecuting people, in order to teach people that the offenses are considered serious. Even if the person in the photograph consents to having the picture taken, and even if he or she send the photo to someone him/herself, it is illegal. It is not difficult to trace where photos originated. Teens tend not to think that there is harm in sending pictures, but there is. Not only is it illegal, and can cause criminal offenses to be on a permanent record, but the photos can damage reputations and put people at risk for exploitation and harassment.
Any time a photo of this type appears on your computer or phone it is important to delete it immediately and to ask the sender NOT to send any future photos of that nature. If a person receives photos after telling a sender not to, that sender can be charged with harassment as well.