DC- Concern Over Sexting Reaches Congress

7-27-2009 Washington DC:

Florida Congresswoman Introduces 'Aware Act' To Promote Internet Safety

One in five teenagers are sexting -- sending sexually suggestive texts or photos on cell phones.

A New Berlin teenager is accused of convincing more than 30 boys to send him naked pictures of themselves.

Police said Anthony Stancil then blackmailed his classmates with the photos into performing sex acts.

In a separate case earlier this year, dozens of Waukesha students were being investigated for sending nude photos of a girl over their cell phones.

Sexting has become a concern for not only parents, but for Congress.

"It was too much for an 18-year-old girl to go through," parent Cynthia Logan said.

It was a year ago this month that Jessie Logan committed suicide.

"I walked over into her room and saw her hanging," Logan said.

Her mother said it all stems from a sexting incident when a naked picture of Jessie -- intended for her boyfriend -- got forwarded and made the cell phone rounds at school.

Logan's case drew national attention. Now, she's turning her grief into action. The Cincinnati mother was on Capitol Hill earlier this year to lobby for Internet safety legislation.

"Sexting is the Internet concern of the moment," U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said. "And the concern we have is that we don't have enough Internet safety education in the schools right now. It's very haphazard and we need to make sure that we put the weight of the federal government behind it."

The Florida congresswoman introduced a bill this month called the Aware Act. It would allocate federal grants to nonprofits to teach kids how to stay safe online.

"(And) make sure kids know that they certainly should not be sending graphic pictures of themselves," Wasserman-Schultz said.

"Wasserman-Schultz said she wants quick action on the Aware Act and hopes to get it passed this year. It's one of several Internet safety bills now pending in Congress," WISN 12 News reporter Nikole Killion said.

Eric Cuoto, 17, of New Orleans, is pushing for action.

He met with lawmakers to call for more awareness about sexting as part of a teen cyber safety summit this summer.

"My message to teens is be very aware of what you do because it can hurt you," Cuoto said.

Just like it hurt Jessie Logan.

"It's abuse. She was abused," Cynthia Logan said.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. House also passed another Internet safety bill.

It would allow schools to re-allocate federal funding to develop on-line safety programs.

The measure now goes to the U.S. Senate.

In some states, teenagers are slapped with harsh charges if they're caught sexting, while others get a slap on the wrist.

Get a closer look at the wide-ranging penalties for sexting Tuesday on "12 News at 5:00." ..Source.. by WISN.com