As is the case with many of our constantly evolving technological developments, our legal system hasn’t quite caught up to the capabilities of current cellphones and the phenomena they spawn.
As such, the system has been punishing minors who sext — even with their significant others — like a type of sex offender.
State Sen. Charlie Dean is trying to change that with a bill that’s working its way through the Florida legislature.
The current gray area of the law neglects to differentiate between a 16-year-old sending his girlfriend a racy photo and an adult distributing child porn to the public.
It’s a disconnect that can ruin minors’ lives with one stupid mistake. That’s why the proposed softer penalties make sense to us.
We’re in no way condoning the actions some of these teens take. But to be labeled and effectively outcast from society seems like too harsh a penalty for the given crime.
It’s important to remember that from time to time, we have to re-examine the current laws and realize what isn’t clear or accurate, and Sen. Dean is trying to do just that.
This re-evaluation keeps our system up-to-date and, in this case, will help prevent a stupid teenage mistake from leading to a lifetime of undeserved stigma and shame.
