Group 6: Question 3

Photography
Used or Debated? In our topic, photography is debated. One of the main issues of sexting is the images and there are quite a few debates that surround this issue. One debate is that teenagers, even middle schoolers should not be allowed to take provocative pictures of themselves on their cell phones and send them to others. Another debate is what is to be done with people who are sexting and under the legal age. Should parents be able to control the content of their child’s phone or not and if so how is this to be done? An additional debate is those who are caught sexting under the age of 18 be criminally punished, not punished at all, be considered sex offenders, or barely punished. The photography involved in sexting raises these debates and questions.
Visual Elements
The style in the coverage of this topic certainly plays a role because it can sway the viewer to be either for or against sexting. It can narrow down viewers opinions on even being for certain aspects of it, or against it. Style in magazines or newspapers may make sexting seem more innocent that it is whereas on the internet or television viewers can see the topic more in depth and make an opinionated choice about the topic from there. The tone of sexting, both images and examples of the texts, would also play a big role because then the public can really see some examples of what is considered sexting. If a parent were to see this they may be more aware of what their young child/children are doing on cell phones and prevent them (or discuss with them the risks) from sexting. Color also plays a part in the media. An image to display sexting in a magazine article or on television or the internet is more powerful to viewers than it would be in black and white. Visual elements like these definitely play a part in the coverage and effects of the topic.
Media Coverage
The internet coverage differs greatly from newspaper, broadcast, or magazine coverage. In the internet coverage, texts and images (depending on the web site) can be as graphic as they want. Most newspapers, television and magazines are not allowed to publish these explicit materials (unless the subscriber is over 18 and aware of the content). Also, anyone can post something on the internet. There could be a website devoted to the ‘best’ sexting images or texts and there could be one saying that sexting should be a felony and that it’s the devil’s work all within a few clicks of the mouse. Most other media is much more controlled on what they publish like newspapers and magazines.