The internet has changed the world. Much more caution is required in raising our children than ever before in history. In ages past, all the dangers facing our kids were tangible – we told our kids “not to talk to strangers,” to “run away,” to “say no to drugs.” Now, the threats appear in cyber form. Children are their own worst enemies in Larimer and Boulder County. Teenagers don’t have a full grasp on what is legal and what is not, and when the lines are blurred online, dangerous things can happen. In recent news, an 18-year-old man was accused of soliciting young girls through social media. He was charged with multiple offenses, including Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Internet Luring of a Child. He was communicating online with willing teenage girls. Our culture is becoming more and more sexual. We need to let our kids know where to draw the line.
[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”100%”]We need to be aware of the laws and how they affect our families.[/pullquote]
Sexting and Sexual Exploitation of a Child
One crime which is easily committed by our own kids is Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-6-403, which is charged whenever a person is in possession of or distributes sexually explicit photos of a child under the age of 18, or if they entice a child under 18 to create sexually explicit material. Many parents scoff at me – their kids don’t create sexually explicit material! They are in the dark. Sexting is common among high school (and even middle school) kids. We worked with one teenage client who received an unsolicited nude photo from a girl at school who liked him. We need to let our kids know the dangers of sharing naked, sexual photos online or over the phone in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park.
Internet Luring of a Child
Internet Luring of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-306, is charged whenever a person communicates online or over the phone with a person who is under the age of 15, describing explicit sexual conduct, and inviting or persuading the child to meet for any purpose. The person communicating with the child must be 4 years older in order to be charged. Recent studies show that 20% of 14 year-old girls are sexually active – this doesn’t include girls who have “messed around” (touched under clothes or touched intimate parts). 35% of 14-year-old girls said they would sleep with someone if they had a boyfriend they loved. And, when young girls have relationships with a boy who is at least four years older, 47% of those relationships include sex. So, if a needy 13-year-old girl starts chatting online with a 17 year-old boy and they “love each other”, and discuss sexual conduct and arrange to meet for any purpose, the 17-year-old could be accused of Internet Luring of a Child. This could be your son or daughter. We need to be aware of the laws and how they can affect our families.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Sex Crimes Involving Children
Our culture is overtly sexual. Children today are encouraged by our culture to become sexually active at an early age, but our laws are harsh when it comes to sex crimes involving children. If your child is convicted of a sex offense in Larimer or Boulder County, they will be required to register as a sex offender, and go through sex offender treatment. Don’t let one decision made in their teenage years rule their life.