By Deborah Wilkinson

Our world is full of instant messages and breaking news. New things happen every second, and we are made aware of these things because we have Twitter or Facebook to keep us constantly updated.

Through our mobile phones we can know exactly what a person is thinking or feeling or ask them questions confidentially.

In this new age of information, it is easy to forget every person in the world can see what is written on someone’s Wall or page.

Every message you have ever sent can be forwarded to millions of other people. Through this comes the problem of sexual messaging.

Sending sexually explicit messages or photos, better known by the Portmanteau “sexting,” has lead to harassment, death and legislation against the act.

There is a fine line between sending messages and sending unwanted messages. Many teens have found themselves in court because of these unsettling messages.

On the other hand, many teens have been brought to court because they sent pictures to others which they had received from someone else without the knowledge of the person in the photo.

As reported by Guardian News and Media, child pornography charges were brought against six teenagers in Greensburg, Pa. in January 2009.

The charges were filed after three girls sent sexually explicit photographs to three male classmates.

There are child pornography charges and jail time that can be involved with pressing the forward button on your cell phone.

While most of these cases involve teens and young adults, the results are the same online, in chat rooms and in your inbox.

These outrageous images get sent around and they are neither wanted nor acceptable. Many videos and applications reach the eyes and ears of our youth.

After seeing and hearing these things, children learn from it; a child can learn to see things as acceptable and in turn imitate it. It is not acceptable for a child or teen to do things that are of an adult nature.

LG recently launched a “think before you text” campaign to inform our youth that viral messages help no one.

Legislation is being passed which would make any sexual or provocative messages sent from a person under 18 years of age a federal misdemeanor.

This may seem harsh, but it comes after a case that is far more disturbing.

Jessica Logan, who sent sexual pictures to her boyfriend, committed suicide after her nude pictures were widely forwarded amongst fellow teenagers after their breakup. Her family has pushed for this to be stopped, so the same thing won’t happen to other teens.

If this had not happened, there would be one more girl going to her senior prom or enjoying spring break.

Had there been consequences for this crime, Jessica’s ex boyfriend might have thought twice about his actions.

In a world where all the information you could ever want is at your fingertips, you have to think before you forward. Know that what you are sending will be linked to you.

If it is not something you can be proud of, do not share it. Like LG is promoting, “Give it a ponder.”

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