A Proven Criminal Defense Team

Why is sexting so problematic for teens?

On Behalf of | May 19, 2020 | Sex Crimes |

Let’s salute youth.

It certainly has its rewards. Life is full of promise. Every day is a new adventure. New friends are potentially around every corner. The experimentation tied to experience and learning is often bold and exciting.

Disclaimer: Adolescence also comes with challenges too, though. And those often arise because of the very attribute of youthfulness that extols spontaneous behavior and risk taking.

Take sexting, for example.

Parents have heard of that, of course. Indeed, they might have sent or received a sexting message, image or video themselves when they were juveniles, had enabling technology been available. It’s just something that many young people do.

Now the very word itself frightens most parents, because they know something that most of their children don’t.

That is this: The act of sexting carries potentially adverse – that is, criminally punitive – sanctions far exceeding anything their teenage sons and daughters can remotely envision.

Sexting is particularly troublesome for juveniles, given that they often act impulsively and without due regard for consequences.

And most of them would be floored to learn the penalties that can link with sexting. Those include these stark downsides:

  • Possession and/or distribution of child pornography (with victims themselves being charged)
  • Sexual exploitation of a child
  • Permanent criminal record
  • Lasting – and often harrowing – contact with the criminal justice system

Teens are not adults, and they often make rash decisions that amply demonstrate that. Logic dictates that they should not suffer heavy downsides when they engage in sexting behavior that is not grounded in maliciousness or criminal intent.

Questions or concerns regarding sexting or another juvenile charge can be directed to a proven criminal defense legal team.

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