TOLEDO, OHIO -- On Wednesday the Ohio House approved a bill that is trying to create legal consequences for teens caught sexting. Under the bill, minors who use technological devices to send, share, possess or post material showing a minor nude will be sent to the juvenile courts.
Charlene Gilbert, director of The Unviersity of Toledo’s Eberly Center for Women says she likes that the bill aims to protect minors. However, Gilbert is concerned that the “Sexting bill” may go too far. “We want to make sure that we are indeed creating legislation that protects people,” she said.
Gilbert doesn’t think the courts are the proper place for minors who commonly make the mistake. “I don’t think young people are aware of the consequences of what can happen and the longevity of those mistakes.”
Donesha Thomas is a seventh grade student at Winterfield Academy. “I think that’ll be good for everybody so we can stay safe,” said Thomas. Not long ago, she says a male student sent a nude picture to a female student he liked. “She started showing it to all the lil kids and he didn’t want to come to school because she had showed it to everybody.”
Toledo Senator Teresa Fedor is in support of the bill. She is working on a Cyber Bullying bill which would go even further than sexting. “This would allow schools to discipline outside of the school district for any electronic acts, sexting including,” said Senator Fedor.
Minors who are found guilty of sexting will go to juvenile court where a punishment can be decided. Juveniles will not be sentenced to jail or have to register as sex offenders. Second time offenses would charged with a first degree misdemeanor. The bill is expected to move to the Senate this fall. The Senate vote is needed to make the sexting bill a law.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWNWO