New “Sexting” Law OK'ed

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
In an attempt to address the newfound ways people are using personal technology, Gov. Pat Quinn signed off on the state’s first “sexting” law this week. Sexting in this case describes the act in which individuals distribute lewd photographs using their cell phones or computers.

Under the new law, those under  age  18  involved in sexting would have to stand before a judge and could face supervision as well as community service and counseling.  Before the new act was passed, though, they could have faced much stricter criminal charges or even been deemed sexual predators.

Scott Mulford, a spokesman with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office, said the new law provides an appropriate legal remedy. “The new law strikes the right balance in recognizing and prioritizing those sexters that are by-and-large kids and, in this case, are making poor choices with technology,” he said.

The sexting phenomena has become more prevalent as personal technology continues to advance and cell phones and computers become more usable with multimedia.  A report jointly released by music television network MTV and the Associated Press indicated that three out of ten young people from ages 14 to 24 participate in sexting and that one out of ten young people has shared a nude image of themselves.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3699/quinn-signs-sexting-law/