Indiana lawmakers still grappling with ‘sexting’


Indiana lawmakers are moving cautiously in trying to curb the practice of teens sending racy photos or videos of minors by cell phones, reports the Associated Press. Many state lawmakers want to do something about so-called teen “sexting”—the practice of teens sending nude or sexually explicit photos or videos of minors by cell phone. But an interim study committee that looked at the issue Aug. 25 has not decided what it should recommend to the full General Assembly. State Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, said lawmakers are trying to walk a fine line between doing nothing on one had to legislating morality on the other. “It’s a national concern,” said Lawson, chairwoman of the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee. “Parents are concerned, schools are concerned. My job is to figure out what we should do here.” Many states are grappling with the issue in the fast-changing world of social networking and cyberspace. This year, at least 16 states have introduced or are considering bills or resolutions aimed at sexting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In general, the legislation is aimed at educating youth about the risks of sexting, deterring them from the practice and imposing penalties for taking part in the activity. The Indiana Senate passed a bill earlier this year that would make it a separate delinquent act for those under age 18 to disseminate any material that depicts nudity or sexual conduct of minors. But there was confusion over the bill, and the issue was punted to the study committee…

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