WHY DO THEY HAVE CAMERA PHONES???? The parents are responsible for putting non “child safe” phones in the hands of teenagers. My sister is 13, and she has a kid phone (Verizon Migo) with 4 buttons and a 911 button. One will only dial my mother, one only dials me, and the other two dials her two best friends’ houses.

And there are other ones available!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16044093/

That was a different incident I think. Also a middle school child sending a naked picture though…But I see what you are saying Webster.

* Off topic…read the forum posts on the graduating students who vandalized their school and may not be able to walk at graduation.

Ahhh! This is where I got the idea that she hadn’t meant for it to be widely distributed.

http://www.wkrg.com/news/article/show_tell_nude_cell_phone_picture/14126/

Good point, Razorsharp. I’m sure she DID want it to be seen—by a few choice people. A boyfriend maybe? Sort of like a note written and passed in class. Fine for the intended recipient, but when read out loud by the teacher, a fine deterrent for more of the same.

Then again, maybe not. You’re quite right. MySpace is a shocking wake up call for all of us. My husband thanks my career on a regular basis knowing our toddler will never be able to get away with anything of the sort. Mama is rather techno savvy. Even if our self respect installation somehow goes wrong, “busted” will become a familiar and painful reality.

Fantastic thought, Mississippi!

One of my mother’s strongest arguments with us was “I’m legally responsible for everything you do.” Whatever happened to that? Distribution of child pornography charges, causing registration as sex offenders might wake a few lax parents out of their complacency! Totally fair? Maybe not, but again, personal responsibility is everything.

My question is since this teen is obviously under age shouldn’t the parents be held accountable for her actions.  As far as the other kids receiving it I think you are walking a very thin line as to whether they have actually committed a crime, HOWEVER if they forwarded the picture or kept the picture then yes they too have committed a crime.  Kids think that because they are minors nothing is going to happen to them.  They do not realize the seriousness of this type of behavior.  Check out some of the pictures these kids post on their myspace or facebook pages, it will stun you.

Webster,
I think you might have missed the fact that this child WANTED the photo to be seen. Society glorifies this type of behavior and the kids feel empowered by it. Children today are constantly bombarded with this type of filth…from the music they listen to, to the shows they watch, the magazines they read, the web-sites they visit…etc. They see their idols doing this type of thing, and they mirror that behavior. Most (not all) but most parents today could care less…they either don’t discipline their children to teach them right from wrong, or they see nothing wrong with it. Either way, this is something that will only get worse. Kids in ELEMENTARY school are having sex…can you imagine? WHAT is wrong with society and parents today??? Society has become de-sensitized. Think about it…ten years ago this would have made national headlines…20 years ago, it would have been on 60 mins or 20/20 (laughing) But in todays sick and twisted society, it’s just another day…. so sad

CONSEQUENCES, Kids. CONSEQUENCES!

Mama always told me, “Never write anything down that you don’t want the entire world to see.” That may have been long before the digital age, but the common sense still applies. Whether it’s a gossipy note passed in class or a clandestine photo, THINK before you pass it on. Hello?

There was a time when kids would be too afraid of getting caught to even think up this stuff…

What are we (as parents) teaching our children these days anyway? Anything at all about ramifications and responsibility or is it just anything goes?