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Cell Phones

Senior Citizen Sexting on the Rise

Troubling instances of teen sexting have been all over the news as of late, with randy kids and their sexy messages and photographs often leading to public derision, expulsion, and sometimes even arrest. Thankfully, the disturbing trend among the nation's youth seems to be nearing an end.

The primary reason? Because it looks like old people are getting into it. We know (gag), and we're sorry, but the American Association of Retired People (AARP) Web site recently posted a story that details the growing popularity of raunchy text exchanges among senior citizens. (Hopefully it's exaggerating.) One man named Roger (His last name was apparently withheld to prevent his grandchildren from jabbing pencils into their eyes and ears.) told the AARP, "I'll say, 'You have an amazing body. You have amazing breasts.' The next thing you know, you'll get a picture of a breast." Shudder.

So, the next time you see Grandma sheepishly grinning as she checks her cell, don't even try to wipe the memory of this indelible story from your brain. It will, unfortunately, be permanently seared into your subconscious. Again, our apologies. [From: AARP via Tech Radar and Gawker]

Cell Phones

Vermont Teen Going to the Slammer for 'Sexting'

In recent years, 'sexting' has entered our lexicon, frightening the parents of teens with cell phones and other mobile devices. Now, lawmakers and judges are cracking down on the act, and, as a result, a Vermont teen is headed to prison.

According to the Associated Press, 18-year-old Isaac Owusu will serve 90 days of a two-year sentence in a Vermont prison after pleading guilty to two counts of committing a prohibited act and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct this past Thursday in what was the state's first sexting case. It could've been worse for the teen from Morrisville, who told two teenage girls to send him videos or photos of them performing sexual acts. However, Vermont lawmakers recently decriminalized sexting, which led to sexual assault charges against Owusu being dropped as part of a plea deal.

Legislators say they passed the loosened sexting law because they didn't want teens to be labeled as sex offenders due to, in the words of the AP, "something so foolish." We doubt the parents of the two girls involved think this situation is "foolish," at all. While this young man didn't physically interact with these girls in any inappropriate way, his behavior is nevertheless unacceptable. Lawmakers need to send a hard message to teens: Sexting isn't okay. A reduced sentence doesn't accomplish that. [From: AP/ABC News]

Cell Phones

'Sexting' Is the New 'Spin the Bottle,' Argues Canadian Professor

Sexting Likened to Spin the BottleThe practice of sexting is all over the news right now as more and more teens are getting caught sending provocative images to each other via cell phone messages. In a few cases, some of these teens are even being punished as child pornographers and being forced to register as sex offenders. One professor thinks that the scandal is being blown out of proportion, and frankly, we agree with him.

According to the National Post, Professor Peter Cumming from York University in Toronto stated in a recent paper that, while sexting itself may be a relatively new phenomenon, the ideas behind it are really no different than those behind playing 'doctor' or 'spin the bottle.' In thepaper, he writes:
"Technology does change things, and there can be very serious consequences. But that obscures the fact that children and young people are sexual beings who have explored their sexuality in all times, and all cultures and all places. A distinction has to be made between nudity and child porn."
The problem, of course, arises when someone forwards those explicit images and, intentionally or not, spreads them around the Internet. Clearly, this is a problem that must be addressed. But how to do so without unfairly punishing kids remains to be determined. [From: National Post]

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Cameras, Computers

Principal's Intercepted 'Sext' Scandal Rocks UK High School

A scandal involving sexting, the risque practice of sending illicit texts or photos, predominantly attributed to teens, is currently rocking a high school in England. The students in question weren't circulating photos of themselves or their classmates, though. The photos were of their principal.

According to The Telegraph, the headmistress, Sue Brearley, told colleagues that she uploaded the photos of herself posing in her underwear (which were intended for her fiance) from her mobile phone to her laptop. Brearley's laptop was later connected to the school's computer system, which is how the students found the photos after allegedly hacking their way in. Police have spoken to two boys about stealing the uploaded photos and circulating them throughout the school, but no disciplinary measures have been levied against them or Brearley.

Even though punishment is not a certainty, one thing is for sure. Students who saw the pictures will never view Brearley in the same fashion again. [From: The Telegraph]

Cell Phones, Computers

Learn How to Text (From Fox?)



If you've ever wondered what "LOL" or "BRB" means, the kind folks at MyFox Atlanta have you covered -- and then some. They've put together a list of important Internet acronyms so you're able to share with your little ones in the joy of SMS/AIM/MSN. (If you don't know what those stand for, do yourself a favor and don't even bother.)

The list runs the gamut from the obvious ("420" = marijuana), to the raunchy ("J/O" = jerking off), to the bizarrely obscure ("NALOPKT" = Not A Lot Of People Know That, which, we should point out, not a lot of people know). But really, it's mostly raunchy.

Our personal favorite has to be "IF/IB", which is apparently a question that asks, "In the Front or In the Back?"

Kids these days! [From: MyFoxAtlanta]

Cell Phones

'Sexting' Not Just For Teens Anymore

Sexting may have become all the rage among the Hannah Montana generation, but that doesn't mean that the fad can't be appropriated by the uptight over-30 crowd as well.

Fortunately, Cracked has come up with some advice on how old-timers can effectively use the sexting movement to create job opportunities or spice up mundane daily activities (like ordering fast food). If you're apprehensive of joining the sexting craze -- or unsure of the lingo and proper use of emoticons like (.)(.) -- check out Cracked's tips. In no time at all, you'll be on the proper end of the "Drive Thru Window + No Pants = Free Big Mac" equation. [From: Cracked]

Cell Phones

'Sexting' Not Just About Sex, Study Finds

According to a new study, 'Sexting' may have less to do with sex than its titillating title implies.

Susan Lipkins, a psychologist from Port Washington, NY, found that people who sent sexually explicit messages were more focused on attaining power and control than people who didn't send explicit messages.

Have you ever sent a sexual text message?


According to USA Today, Lipkins polled 323 people, of which a surprising 66-percent admitted to sending some type of explicit messages. Although participants ranged in age from 13-72, most were 26 and younger. (A nice little side-stat for you: 6-percent said that they started text messaging at age 9.)


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Cell Phones

'Flirtexting' Teaches Proper Mobile Wooing Techniques

If the dating scene leaves you feeling isolated and lovelorn, don't fret. To pull you out of that hole of self-pity, two enterprising young women have published a guide for how to "text your way to love," titled 'Flirtexting.' Directed toward women, but applicable to men as well, the book addresses age old mysteries of romance and woo, such as when and how to reply to flirtateous text messages.

These textperts seem to think that they're doing everyone a glorious service, telling CNN they needed to "put a name to this cultural phenomenon." But, we still don't have the courage to ask someone for their number. Where's the help there? Now, we're off to finish our book on responsible sexting techniques -- predictably titled 'Safe Sexting' -- before someone else beats us to it. [From: CNN]

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Cell Phones

Should We Ban Our Kids From Texting?


Since text messaging has become the de facto mode of communication for an entire generation of teens and tweens, many parents have had to question their kids' use of the technology. Some are even taking the drastic step of banning text messaging, altogether. It's not hard to see why; we've reported on a myriad of incidents involving teens and texts, from states banning it on their roadways to high-profile teen "sexting" trials. Still, is it the right move to cut off your kids? Is it possible that barring them from text messaging might actually hurt their development?

Debbe Geiger, a writer and mother of two from Durham, NC, has had mixed feelings since her family banned their children from texting. In a recent blog post for the New York Times, Geiger discusses the conflict that arises from worrying about "mean-girl" texts and the dangers of irresponsible use while simultaneously wishing for the convenience of being in touch with her kids in a way palatable to them.

In regards to "mean" text messaging, we think it's safe to say that kids were being mean to each other long before texting came around. It's just that, now, the messages are being passed digitally instead of being scrawled on handwritten notes and stashed away in lockers. As unfortunate as it may be, gossip and meanness are a part of growing up; banning the text is not going to eliminate the message.

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Cell Phones

'Sexting' Craze Might Be Out of Proportion, Experts Say

It's no surprise that adults often misunderstand, and are scared by, teen behavior. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a shock to hear that fears over the "sexting" craze might be a little overblown, according to some experts.

Many attendees at Sex Tech, a conference on technology and sex education ending today in San Francisco, feel that the news stories and panic over sexting are just the latest in a long line of unnecessarily perpetuated fears. The start of the hubbub was a study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, which said that 20-percent of teens had posted or texted nude or seminude pictures of themselves at some point. Following that, many teens have been arrested for the practice, with some even being charged with child pornography.

Do you think teenagers should be charged as criminals for 'sexting?'



Talking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Deb Levine, director of San Francisco's Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS), said that although 20-percent of kids might have sexted each other, it's still a good sign that 80-percent haven't. She also sees an opportunity to use the technology for education, case in point being ISIS' "Sex Info" texting service that she helped found -- a program that seeks to answer young people' questions about sex by text message.

While 20-percent is still an alarming number, we think that everyone should just calm down a bit, take a deep breath, and find some more rational ways to handle this, instead of screaming and blaming technology (in lieu of perfectly natural hormones) for corrupting teens. [From: San Francisco Chronicle]

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Cell Phones

Massachusetts Teens Face "Sexting" Charges



Six Massachusetts teens may face child pornography charges after being caught "sexting," according to CNN. The boys, ages 12 to 14, got into trouble after one of them took semi-nude pictures of his 13-year-old girlfriend and sent them to the others.

The parents of the boys admit that the teens used poor judgment, but insist that charges of child pornography would be excessively harsh. This is a delicate situation, to say the least. The boys involved are young, so does their age preclude them from being prosecuted? Did they actually commit a criminal act? Is this a case of technology turning six curious kids into knowing pornographers? Either way, "sexting" is emerging as an urgent new topic of discussion for parents and their children, as you'll see from the previous cases below.

May we suggest that discussion happens ASAP. [From: CNN]

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Teen Blackmails Classmates With Nude Pics on Facebook

Kids! Teens! Whomever! Don't send nude pictures of yourself to anyone on Facebook or any other site (or via your cell phone, for that matter). It will come back to haunt you. We guarantee it.

Anthony Stancl, an 18-year-old Wisconsin boy, is accused of posing as a girl on facebook and convinced 31 classmates to send him nude pictures of themselves. Don't worry, it gets worse. After the boys had sent him their pictures, he blackmailed them, threatening to spread the pictures online unless they performed sex acts with him, according to the criminal complaint. Police found over 300 pictures on Stancl's computer. Seven of the 31 boys involved in the case actually performed sex acts with Stancl. Stancl allegedly took pictures of the encounters with his cell phone camera. He faces up to 300 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

These news stories just get creepier and creepier, don't they? [From: Foxnews.com]

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Cell Phones, Cameras

'Sexting' Teenagers Charged With Child Pornography



Six Greensburg, Pennsylvania high-schoolers, found out to be exchanging nude pictures of themselves via text message this past November, have now been charged with child pornography, according to FOX News.

Three unidentified girls between the ages of 14 and 15 allegedly sent nude pictures of themselves to three boys, all between 16 and 17. Apparently, the school found out when one student's cell phone was confiscated for being used during school hours. Said pictures were stored in the phone.

This news, filed under 'sexting,' comes on the heels of a similar story, having taken place on the other side of the country. There is a big difference here, though. While the Seattle teenagers were kicked off the cheerleading team, the Greensburg teenagers are being charged as criminals.

Should teenagers be charged as criminals for 'sexting?'


While we all know that child pornography is a problem that should be taken very seriously, we also know the difference between middle-aged men illegally obtaining images of nude pre-pubescent children and teenage girls voluntarily giving nude images of themselves to teenage boys. The former is criminal behavior, and warrants prosecution by the state; the latter is dumb, and warrants a whupping from a parent. [From: FOX News]


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