School Administrators Charged with Child Exploitation After Investigating Sexting
Last spring, Brush High School (Brush, Colorado) assistant principal Bradley Bass was alerted to a student sexting issue at his school. He and secondary schools director Scott Hodgson looked into it. They talked to some students who were reportedly involved, and determined that intimate images had been shared consensually. At least one student voluntarily showed […]
Model Sexting Law
In my last post, I discussed what I learned in reviewing all of the state sexting laws across the U.S. Some states have comprehensive sexting laws while many others—23 to be exact—have no sexting specific law whatsoever. As noted in my post, this is problematic for a number of reasons, including the risk that minors […]
The Status of Sexting Laws Across the United States
As of July 1, 2022, 23 states in the U.S. do not have laws specific to teen sexting. Our research shows that approximately 14% of middle and high school students have sent explicit images to others, while about 23% have received similar images from others. Likewise, a 2022 meta-analysis of 28 studies published between 2016 […]
Teen Sexting: A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents
This research summary reviews what is currently known about teen sexting. Research from across the United States is discussed, along with practical solutions for parents, educators, and other adults to prevent and respond to teen sexting. Citation information: Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2022). Sexting – A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents. Cyberbullying […]
Sexting Laws Across America
Please click on any state to learn exactly what their sexting laws cover. (Updated July, 2022) State SextingLaw Includes“Sexting” Addressesminorssending Addressesminorsreceiving Penalty:Diversion Penalty:Informal Penalty:Misdem Penalty:Felony RevengePornLaw Alabama NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES Alaska NO NO NO NO NO NO YES NO YES Arizona YES NO YES YES NO NO YES NO […]
Sexting Laws in Idaho
There is no sexting law in Idaho as of July 2022. House Bill 625 (proposed in 2022) is a proposed revenge porn law that appears to only apply to adults: HOUSE BILL NO. 625 BY JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION OF UNSOLICITED SEXUAL MATERIAL; AMENDING CHAPTER 41, TITLE 18, IDAHO […]
Sexting Laws in Illinois
(705 ILCS 405/3-40) Sec. 3-40. Minors involved in electronic dissemination of indecent visual depictions in need of supervision. (a) For the purposes of this Section: “Computer” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 17-0.5 of the Criminal Code of 2012. “Electronic communication device” means an electronic device, including but not limited to a wireless […]
Sexting Laws in Indiana
Section 35-45-4-6 – Indecent display by a youth (a) This section applies only to a person to whom all of the following apply: (1) The person is less than eighteen (18) years of age. (2) The person is not more than four (4) years older than the individual who is depicted in the image or […]
Sexting Laws in Iowa
There is no sexting law in Iowa as of July 2022. However, the below laws may be indirectly or directly implicated. Obscenity: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/728.pdf 708.7 Harassment. (revenge porn addition in paragraph 5) (5) Disseminates, publishes, distributes, posts, or causes to be disseminated, published, distributed, or posted a photograph or film showing another person in a state […]
Sexting Laws in Kansas
Effective July 1, 2016 in Kansas: 21-5610. Unlawful possession of a visual depiction of a child. (a) Unlawful possession of a visual depiction of a child is knowingly possessing a visual depiction of a child 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age in a state of nudity, if committed by […]
