LET’S TALK ABOUT SEXTING &

CYBERBULLYINGUnderstanding the impact technology has on you.

Sexting-The act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones.

Cyber Bullying-the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.

It’s harmless fun between friends!It’s ok if you take pictures of yourself!

It’s ok if you’re dating!It’s ok if you’re 16!It’s just a prank!

You can’t go to jail for it!

Myths about Sexting and Cyber-bullying

Truths about Sexting and Cyber-bullying Once you hit send you can never retrieve an

image or message sent

Even if you take the picture of yourself, if you send that image to a person, it can be a crime.

There is no exception for “dating” situations in the law.

Sending, saving, or requesting sexual images of underage persons is a crime. Criminal penalties can be a result of “child pornography”.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Sexting; prohibited acts; penalties.— (1) A minor commits the offense of sexting if he or she

knowingly:◦ (a) Uses a computer, or any other device capable of electronic

data transmission or distribution, to transmit or distribute to another minor any photograph or video of any person which depicts nudity, as defined in S.847.001(9), Florida Statutes, and is harmful to minors, as defined in S.847.001(6), Florida Statutes.

◦ (b) Possesses a photograph or video of any person that was transmitted or distributed by another minor which depicts nudity, as defined in S.847.001(9), Florida Statutes, and is harmful to minors, as defined in S.847.001(6), Florida Statutes.

Florida Law on Sexting

What Happens After You hit Send?

It may impact:

College Admission

Job interviews

Security Clearances

Penalties for Sexting

• Persuade, engage, fund, and/or produce an inappropriate picture• 20 year Felony and up to $100,000.00 fine

• Distribute, finance distribution or promote distribution (send inappropriate picture)• 7 year Felony and up to $50,000.00 fine

• Possession (having an inappropriate picture)• 4 year Felony and up to $10,000.00 fine

1006.147 Bullying and harassment prohibited.— (1) This section may be cited as the “Jeffrey Johnston

Stand Up for All Students Act.” (2) Bullying or harassment of any student or employee

is prohibited: ◦ (a) During any education program or activity

conducted by a public K-12 educational institution;◦ (b) During any school-related or school-sponsored

program or activity or on a school bus of a public K-12 educational institution; or

◦ (c) Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network.

Florida law on Cyber-Bullying

Penalties for Cyber-BullyingUse a telecommunications service provider to terrorize,

frighten, intimidate, threaten, harass, molest or annoy another person, or to disturb the peace and quiet of another person by any of the following:

• Threatening physical harm or damage• False reporting of a person’s injury, illness or death• Using vulgar, indecent, obscene, or offensive language or

suggesting a lewd act • Initiating contact and hanging up after it is answered• Causing interruption in telecommunications servicePenalty is 6 Months in jail and up to $1,000.00 or both

• A 15 year old girl sent nude photographs of herself via the internet.

• She was charged with manufacturing, possessing and distributing child pornography.

• She sent the photos with her cellular phone to a 27 year old man she met via MySpace in June of 2007.

• The man was also charged with unlawful sexual activity.

• CBS news correspondent Kelli Watson commented, “Kids really need to know and understand that their digital footprint will live on.”

Case Review: Clearfield County, PA

Case Study: Ruskin, FL

Case Review: Lebanon, Ohio

Emma’s Story- Cyberbullying

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/emmas-story-cyberbullied-by-a-best-friend

Ally’s Story- Sexting

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/allys-story-video-second-thoughts-on-sexting

Case Review: Greensburg, PA

• “It was a stupid thing I did because I was upset and tired and it was the middle of the night and I was an immature kid. You will find me on the registered sex offender list next to people who have raped children, molested kids, things like that, because I sent child pornography.”

Case Review: Orlando, FL