07/13/2011
By Parker Gavigan
PROVIDENCE - Computers and cell phones: it's how adults communicate and it's how children communicate too, sometimes getting into adult-like trouble by "sexting" questionable photos that spread like wildfire online.
"I don't think they realize the impact at the age they are. They don't realize the implications it can have when they get older -- looking for a job because it doesn't go away," said parent Debbie Doeg of Coventry.
A new Rhode Island law allows police to charge anyone under the age of 18 for creating and sending a sexually explicit photo of themselves, and there are stiffer penalties for those who may send that photo on to someone else.
"If a person who receives that sexually explicit image of an underage person sends it out to friends or family, posts it on websites, they could be charged under the state's child pornography laws and could have to register as a sex offender," said Amy Kempe, spokeswoman for state Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
It's the hope of Kilmartin that parents and their children make a pact and sign an agreement when it comes to what they post online or send over the phone.
"I think they definitely had to do something about it. I mean it's getting out of hand, getting crazy the things they put on Facebook as well. I agree with it. Something had to be done," Doeg said.
