Presentation given to a class on Computers, Society, and Ethics at Carnegie Mellon University. Credits: Style from Garrett Dimon's presentation on Improving Interface Design: http://www.slideshare.net/garrettdimon/improving-interface-design

1. “Sexting”
Noah Levin
Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009
Carnegie Mellon University
Style of this presentation borrowed with love
from Garrett Dimon’s presentation:
“Improving Interface Design”, 2007

2. 1
Background
Problem, Case Studies, Current Legislation
Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009 2

3. “ Sexting is the act of sending
sexually explicit messages or
“
photos electronically, primarily
between cell phones.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting

4. “ All you look at is, is this a nude or
seminude or suggestive
photograph, and is the person
depicted in it a minor? And that is
enough to warrant a criminal
“
prosecution for child pornography.
MARK RASCH
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2009/01/23/05

5. A Few Case Studies
13 year olds from PA. three girls charged with
child pornography from sending photos of
themselves in bra’s
14 year old from NJ. charged with child
pornography for posting 30 myspace photos
17 students in PA. charged with distributing
photos of nude female classmates
18 year old from OH. committed suicide after
a nude photo was spread around her high school

6. “ This section shall not apply if the person is less
than 19 years old, the child is at least 13 years old,
and the child knowingly and voluntarily and
without threat or coercion used an electronic
communication device to transmit an image of
“
himself or herself to the person.
Vermont Legislation
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/bills/intro/S-125.pdf

7. “ It would make sexting a first-degree
misdemeanor for minors. They could
still face jail time, but more likely the
teens would receive counseling or
“
some kind of probation.
ohio Legislation
http://www.ohio.com/news/nation/43019527.html

8. 2
Teleological Approach
Utilitarianism, Situational Ethics, Public Scrutiny
Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009 8

9. Public Scrutiny

10. Legal Paternalism
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
A G E

11. Expectation of Privacy
75% of teens understood the negative
consequences of sexting before they did it
40% of teens send suggestive text messages, 20%
sent nude or semi-nude text messages
45% of teens say its common for the messages to
be shared outside of intended recipients
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/ - 653 teens surveyed

12. 3
Deontological Approach
Kantian Ethics, Right-Based, Absolutist
Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009 12

13. Absolutist
What’s wrong is wrong.
At what age do people begin face
consequences?
In Vermont, an 18 year old can be hit with
5-week sessions, but maybe 5 days later on
his 19th birthday he’s a ‘sex offender’.

14. Categorical Imperative
Interesting gender difference issues; would
a male be bullied the same way?
If all cases of pictures under the category
of child pornography should be handled
the same way, are all pictures actually
created equal?

15. Bennett Haselton’s Idea
http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/30/1249237

16. Obligations
We have a duty to respect other individuals
and ourselves, and transmitting messages
is disrespecting both of these parties.
Under this line of reason, sexting should
not be tolerated, but what about the
punishment?
Is treating everyone the same way by
placing child pornography accurate?

17. 4
My Argument
One possible solution to teen sexting
Pittsburgh, PA | April 25th, 2009 17

19. Education.
In light of this technology, we need to pass
legislation at the House that lessens the
charges for lewd teen to teen cell phone
communications.
They should under very few circumstances
be charged with child pornography, but
rather promote educational programming
and probationary periods.
We must also push for nationwide
advertising to keep family’s informed.

20. Responsibility.
I also believe that those taking the
compromising photos are just as
responsible, even with the consent of the
‘subject’, because they are aware of the
consequences. Again:
Creation, Transmission, and Reception of
teen “sexting” must be observed.

21. “ We are talking about teens acting
carelessly with technology…teen
sexting is not child pornography.
“
EDWARD GREENSPAN
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2009/04/27/9257671-sun.html

22. FYI
May 23, 2009
Pittsburgh Pundits
Late Night - Cabaret Theater
A comedy show with a panel discussion on
sexting and other matters of sex and law.
412.325.6769

23. Thank you!
ANY QUESTIONS?