NEW: Anti-Sexting Law Could Snare College Students
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Under the new law, minors who transmit sexually explicit images of themselves may be charged with a “status” offense in Family Court while those who possess or forward such images of another minor may be persecuted under child pornography laws. They could also have to register as a sex offender.
"While it is important to protect minors and help them recognize the short- and long-term implications of sending sexually explicit images, opening them up to something as serious as potential child pornography charges may not be the most effective course of action,” said Tiffani S. Kisler, an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island Department of Human Development and Family Studies and author of a new study on sexting among college students.
The study, co-authored with Sue Adams, found that 56 percent of college students had at some point received sexually suggestive images and 78 percent had received sexually suggestive messages. As for passing along these explicit texts, 17 percent of recipients admit to forwarding the messages and images to other people.
Adams said first-year college students are particularly at risk under the new law.
"College freshmen are right at that 17- and 18-year-old threshold," said Adams. "Whether it is classmates in college or friends from high school, we have to wonder how many students are thinking about the ages of the people they are communicating with.”
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Peter Kilmartin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Comments:
Lance Chappell
10:01am on Saturday, July 23, 2011
This is just one of many examples of how rushing bills through the legislature in the closing days affects people. Many people are caught off guard by these new laws. Some are poorly written and not given the time to consider what the consequences will be. What is not being asked is whether the legislation is addressing the need intended? Rhode Island has many bad laws on the books and the innocent will find themselves caught up in the web of "the system" and shelling out thousands of dollars in legal fees to restore their lives to normal. Some of this is avoidable if the legislature would just take the time to consider what impact these bills will have on society. Medical marijuana is another example – the state passes a bill for “compassion centers” without considering what the federal government will do. States can pass whatever law it wants without checking with the federal government - that is called States Rights. However, there is no state law that will stop the actions of a federal law. Watch the DEA pounce on these compassion centers once they open up. Everyone who gets involved with these centers will find their records ruined for life. Now buckle up or else face the $75 dollar bill!