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'Sexting' legislation proposed to protect teens

Cynthia Logan, mother of Jessica Logan who committed suicide after a nude picture of herself sent via text message was spread through her school, speaks in praise of new anti-sexting legislation introduced Monday, April 13 in Lebanon.

Submitted Cynthia Logan, mother of Jessica Logan who committed suicide after a nude picture of herself sent via text message was spread through her school, speaks in praise of new anti-sexting legislation introduced Monday, April 13 in Lebanon.

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Blog: Vermont considers allowing ‘sexting’

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 6:36 AM Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said advances in technology have surpassed laws that were written to protect juveniles.

That’s why two Warren County state legislators, along with several local officials, introduced “sexting” legislation today, April 13, that they say will “appropriately address sexting offenses” in Ohio.

“We have hit the collision of juvenile lack of knowledge and the power of technology,” Hutzel said. “It’s too late to go back, but we have to protect kids from this technology.”

State Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, and state Sen. Bob Schuler, R-Sycamore Twp., announced the legislation. They were joined by Cynthia Logan, mother of Jessica Logan, who committed suicide after her nude picture was widely forwarded amongst fellow teenagers; Patty Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety; and Kevin Bright, superintendent of the Mason School District.

Maag said in March he wanted to introduce legislation that would make teenagers sending sexually provocative or nude pictures of themselves or others through a cell phone a first degree misdemeanor. The legislation would apply only to teens younger than 18, separate from similar adult offenses which carry felonious charges.

In March, two Mason juveniles — one boy and one girl — were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after an assistant principal inadvertently viewed a nude photo of a 15-year-old Mason girl on a cell phone. The phone had been confiscated from the boy because he was using it during class.

Maag said with the current law, teens could be charged with a felony and forced to register as sex offenders, which he felt was an “extra burden” they didn’t need.

“They did something stupid, but I don’t think anyone wants for them to be called sex offenders,” Maag said. “This legislation will give prosecutors direction in how to deal with the matter.”

According to Maag, a recent study reported that one in five minors across the country has either sent or received these types of pictures and videos.

“I think what these teens need is education about how this type of behavior could affect their lives,” Maag said. “This legislation does not affect the state’s ability to try actual sex offenders. What it does is clarify the law regarding incidences such as these.”

A 13-year-old Middletown boy is facing felony charges after a video of sexual activity involving a student at Vail Middle School was found on his cellular phone. The boy was charged with juvenile delinquency by way of pandering obscenity involving a minor. The boy is not necessarily involved with “sexting” because it is unclear if he transmitted the video to other phones.

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