“Sexting” is the New Love Letter

When my doctor first pointed out my daughter’s hoo-ha on the big screen and declared, “You’re having a girl,” my first thought was:  “Yes!  Baby girl clothes!”   But my second thought…?

“Oh crap.  She had BETTER not post naughty pictures of herself on MySpace.”

I know, I know… not likely to happen.  But only because MySpace will be R.I.P. in a cyber-cemetery by that time, alongside Friendster and Bolt.

Unfortunately, however, “sexting” is all the rage among teenagers these days.  Parents, school districts and law enforcement have been grappling with how to address teens who take sexually explicit photos of themselves with their cell phone cameras and send them to friends.

*SIGH*  Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned flashing-and-running?

Some adolescents caught in the act are being charged with child pornography.  The Vermont Senate thinks that’s a little harsh and passed legislation — currently pending in the House — to remove the most serious legal consequences for teens who engage in “sexting.”  This way, teenage sext-senders and receivers can’t be prosecuted for child pornography and have “sex offender” on their records — as long as the sender voluntarily transmits the pic — but prosecutors could still give them a slap on the wrist for “lewd and lascivious conduct.”

Good thing my daughter’s going to have a sweatsuit permanently sewn to her body!  In the meantime, I plan to launch a campaign for a return to America’s roots and more wholesome teenage debauchery — like smoking crack and getting STDs.  Because that’s the kind of caring mother I am.