Lampitt Honored for 'Sexting' Legislation

National Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication honors Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt with award for “being a leader in digital responsibility”

(Voorhees) – Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden) was honored on Thursday July 23rd with the “Responsibility 2.1C Award of Excellence” by the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (I.R.O.C.2).

I.R.O.C.2, a group advocating digital responsibility, was prompted to recognize Assemblywoman Lampitt after she introduced a three bill package in the Assembly addressing Sexting – the practice of sending sexually explicit photographs via cell phones.

“We at the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication commend Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt for proactively raising the importance of digital responsibility and awareness at the statewide level.” Richard Guerry, the Executive Director of I.R.O.C2 said. “By starting and encouraging a dialogue regarding detrimental digital issues, such as sexting, and by proposing legislation intended to further spread awareness of their negative consequences, the Assemblywoman has become a leader of digital responsibility, or Responsibility 2.1C, in the great state of New Jersey.”

According to a 2008 survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, roughly one-in-five teens – including 11 percent of girls aged 13 to 16 – have sent a nude or semi-nude picture or video of themselves to friends or posted one on a Web site.

“Educating young people and teaching them the ramifications of their behavior must be our focus.” said Lampitt. “Conversations need to happen between a parent and child and among peers. These measures can spark those conversations or, in the worst case, ensure that kids who do make a mistake don’t pay for it in court. We need to create a path that places education and forgiveness before arrest and prosecution.”

• A-4069 would create an educational program as an alternative to prosecution for juveniles who otherwise could be charged with a criminal offense for posting or sending sexually suggestive or sexually explicit photographs.

• A-4068 would require school districts to annually distribute information to students in grades 6 through 12 and their parents or guardians on the dangers of sexting, including its legal, psychological and sociological implications.
• A-4070 would require cell phone retailers to include information about sexting to all consumers purchasing new equipment or renewing a service contract.

For more information: www.pamlampitt.com, www.Iroc2.org

For Release: August 3, 2009
Contact: Daniel Wright, 856-435-1247