Apple Patents Anti-Sexting App

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Parents will soon have a new tool to prevent their kids from sexting on an iPhone.  Apple has created a text blocker to filter out certain explicit language, including abbreviated words that other similar programs may miss, according to CNN. The patent document actually says:
If the control contains unauthorized text, the control application may alert the user, the administrator or other designated individuals of the presence of such text. The control application may require the user to replace the unauthorized text or may automatically delete the text or the entire communication. A blogger at Tech Crunch points out that people who really want to send salacious messages will invent workarounds that don’t set off the censors.  And oh, by the way, the patent addresses only words, not photos.  So this won’t be the end of sexting, but it may be a step.

States Struggle with Teen Sexting Laws

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Nearly 20 states have enacted new laws, or are working on measures that deal with teenage sexting, aimed at treating children more leniently than adults. The Wall Street Journal reports Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana and Illinois are among the states that enacted laws this year. Many of the new rules impose only modest penalties, such as small fines and short stints in juvenile detention, instead of prison terms and a cameo on the sex offender registry. Across the nation, lawmakers and child advocates are struggling with the issues:  Should they hammer teens, or let parents and schools handle sexting incidents? One in five teens admits to "sexting," according to a survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Cutting Down On Sexting

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One in six teenagers is involved in sexting, according to research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. In most cases, the sexually explicit texts or images are sent from one child to another. Across the country, these messages are considered a form child pornography which can lead to prison time in many states. The Youth Online Safety Working Group gives advice on managing and preventing sexting incidents in Interdisciplinary Response to Youths Sexting.  They recommend that authorities determine legal action on a case by case basis, and increase awareness of polices and state laws to help cut down on the sexting problem. For more information:

Pew Internet and American Life Project

Gadgetell

Youth Online Safety Working Group

Former D.A. Educating ‘Ignorant’ Teens About Law

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J.Tom Morgan has a lot of Facebook friends – more than 4,000 actually. Just about all of them are teenagers peppering him with questions about Georgia law. They want to know their rights and how to avoid getting into serious trouble. And the former longtime DeKalb County District Attorney is more than happy to let them know. Morgan has sold more than 27,000 copies of Ignorance Is No Defense, A Teenager’s Guide to Georgia Law, a self-published book that he speaks about at schools, community centers and just about everywhere else anyone will listen, in hopes of educating young people and their parents about Georgia law.

Summit warns teens of texting and online dangers

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Teens who are involved in sexting and posting lewd comments on social networks risk getting arrested.  That warning came from John Walsh, television host of America’s Most Wanted, and James Andrews of Everywhere, at the National Teen Summit on Internet Safety.  The Summit, sponsored by Cox Communications, enlisted teens from around the nation on Tuesday morning.  Walsh reminded teens of the dangers of social networking sites and cell phones and how to avoid legal issues.  Andrews is a social media expert who recommends that teens use privacy settings on Facebook, just like their favorite celebrities do. Watch the Summit below:

Teen summit on internet safety

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America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh will host the National Teen Summit on Internet Safety, June 15 in Washington D.C.  Atlanta social media expert James Andrews will join Walsh to meet with teens from across the country.  They’ll be talking about cyberbullying, sexting and the impact of social media on digital reputation. Cox Communications, based in Atlanta, sponsors the annual event with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Cox will stream the Summit live online starting at 9:30am.  Here’s how to watch the event and join in the conversation:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/coxteensummit

Experts will field questions from twitter hash tag:  #cox4teensafety

A new survey shows 50 percent of teens have posted a fake age online and 38 percent have used social media to befriend people they don’t know. Click here for more information

James Andrews is co-founder of Everywhere, specializing in social media strategies.  Jane Fonda calls him her social media maestro. He orchestrated the live stream of World Fitness Day in May. John Walsh has hosted America's Most Wanted for 22 years.  He became a crime expert and child safety advocate after his own son, Adam Walsh, was kidnapped and murdered in Florida in 1981.  He lobbied for the  Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in 2006, which created a national sex offender registry.

Child porn, sexting and online crimes

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On June 16, 2010, at 2 p.m. E.T., the Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will host a Web Forum on preventing child victimization using high tech devices, including the internet and cell phones.  The session is expected to cover topics such as child pornography, sexting and cyber bullying. 

The 1-hour session, which is cosponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will be led by Laurie Nathan, who manages national outreach and partnerships for the NetSmartz Workshop, an educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.    For further information and instructions on how to participate, visit the OVC Web Forum

–Photo courtesy of  www.flickr.com/photos/angelshupe

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Sexting Laws: Are They Too Tough on Teens?

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Two 14-year olds at the exclusive Lovett School in Buckhead are under investigation in a sexting scandal, as lawmakers in Georgia and across the country debate exactly how to punish children for a crime they may not understand.