New York middle school and high school students were given sexually explicit pamphlets at a recent school "wellness fair" run by the county health department. The pamphlets, intended for adults, contained graphic language and advice on heterosexual and homosexual sex.
Every school has rules governing teacher behavior. Every state has laws against child abuse, and many specifically outlaw teachers' taking sexual liberties with students. Every district has administrators who watch out for sexual misconduct by teachers. Yet sexually abusive teachers stay in the classroom.
A widespread problem in American schools: sexual misconduct by the very teachers who are supposed to be nurturing the nation's children. Students in America's schools are groped. They're raped. They're pursued, seduced and think they're in love.
More than $100 million in federal abstinence funding was recently preserved when three conservative senators were able to convince Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., to drop an amendment that would have eliminated the funds due to discrepancies in the term "medical accuracy."
Parents in Maine recently launched a petition drive to recall the seven board members who voted to give birth control pills to girls as young as 11.
An Associated Press investigation into teacher sexual abuse in the U.S. found more than 2,500 educators have been accused of misconduct. Young people were the victims in 1,800 of the cases - 80 percent of them students.
After an outbreak of pregnancies among middle school girls, education officials in Portland, Maine have decided to allow a school health center to make birth control pills available to girls as young as 11. King Middle School will become the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available, including birth control pills and patches. Condoms have been available at King's health center since 2000.
An international organization promoting families says California families have no choice but to abandon the public school system after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new "anti-discrimination" bill into law, effectively making terms like "mom" and dad" obsolete.
Students who have parental permission to be treated at King Middle School's health center would be able to get birth control prescriptions under a proposal that the Portland School Committee will soon consider.
Three parents' groups have filed papers in Montgomery Circuit Court on Tuesday to request a halt to the planned start of a homosexual curriculum in county schools. Barring a court decision, the school board, after a lengthy battle, will implement a curriculum that will introduce children to the homosexual movement's political doctrines in the eighth and 10th-grade classrooms this fall.
Just weeks after its own survey showed teens place high value on family and faith, MTV is rolling out a bisexual dating show. A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila, which is scheduled to premiere on the cable network Oct. 9, will feature 16 heterosexual men and 16 lesbians competing for the attention of the show's namesake.
Toy maker Mattel Inc. recently went to court to declare that the name of its clean-cut Barbie dolls doesn't belong on a model's pornographic website. The pornographer has "page jacked" the Barbie name and used it in bad faith to profit from Mattel's Barbie trademark.
Juniper Research predicts mobile user-generated content will generate revenues of over $5.7 billion in 2012, compared to $572 million this year. And of that 2012 total, 50% will be accounted for by social networking services.
The New Jersey attorney general has asked a dozen Internet social networking sites to find out whether convicted New Jersey sex offenders have created profiles on their sites.
Shared Hope International, a leader in the worldwide effort to prevent and eradicate sex trafficking, is distributing a ground-breaking new video featuring never before seen footage of child sex trafficking in the United States.
A public school district's program promoting anal sex, homosexuality, bisexuality, and transvestitism as normal sexual variations was recently approved by the Maryland State Board of Education despite strenuous opposition from several pro-family groups.
The seemingly endless stream of reports of female school teachers having sex with their underage male students - a storyline titillating to some but profoundly disturbing to most - is one of today's most sensational news stories.
Internet-safety advocates are welcoming news that social-networking giant MySpace is working on software that will allow parents to track their kids' accounts. Millions of young people have set up pages on MySpace, which has, unfortunately, made it a favorite hangout of sexual predators.
Officials in North Carolina say MySpace has found more than 29,000 registered sex offenders with profiles on the popular social networking website. This underscores the need for parent supervision while children surf the Internet.
Twenty-two men were arrested and charged with soliciting sex from a minor over the Internet during a recent four-day undercover operation in Polk County, Florida. Parents must continue to be vigilant in monitoring their children's Internet usage, as predators lurk online for vulnerable children.
Despite the devastating influence of today's culture, some are trying to teach girls they don't have to dress immodestly in order to be true women. Pure Fashion attempts to help girls with modest choices and has hosted 13 modest fashion shows around the country this year.
In a recent sobering article, Jennifer Roback Morse explains how federally funded comprehensive sex education statistics, while technically correct, do not tell the whole story. She confirms that abstinence is the only way to ensure you won't get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease.
The Maryland State Board of Education will not interfere with a local school board's efforts to insert curriculum material legitimizing homosexuality. The board agreed that while parents may have some say in what is taught to their children, that "right is not absolute. It must bend to the State's duty to educate its citizens."
The state of Missouri has voted to improve oversight of abortion facilities and ban abortionists or people associated with abortion clinics from teaching in schools and providing school materials.
Following a heated controversy between Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle and members of the homosexual community last week, the city commission approved the opening of a gay and lesbian library on public property.
The U.S. House passed legislation that extends funding for Title V abstinence education for three months - until the end of the fiscal year. The Senate passed the bill last month. It now goes to the president.
A new study reveals that a relatively new sexually transmitted disease (STD) has surpassed gonorrhea in prevalence among sexually active young adults in the United States. The disease, mycoplasma genitalium, was first identified back in the 1980s as the smallest known bacterium in existence.
Courts have seen the number of sex offense cases involving juvenile offenders rise dramatically in recent years and treatment professionals say the offenders are getting younger and the crimes more violent.
Many convicted sex offenders who had profiles on the popular MySpace website are on parole, and some may be sent back to prison for e-mailing minors. Two dozen states have taken legal action to get from MySpace a list of its users who are registered as sex offenders; 21 states have received names and e-mail addresses.
As the National Coalition has been reporting, the recent development of Internet capable wireless devices allows pornographers to distribute their material in a more accessible, anonymous, and convenient way. To maximize their profits, they are keeping abreast of trends in technology.
The California State Senate recently voted in favor of legislation that would require schools to portray homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality as positive choices to children.
Focus on the Family has produced a compelling video in support of abstinence education. Click here to view Stoplight with Stewart Shepard so see for yourself why we must defend abstinence sex education programs.
Faced with mounting legal pressure from several states, MySpace has decided to turn over the names of thousands of sexual predators found "hanging out" on the teen-friendly site.
Claire Hertzler, regional director of the National Coalition's Atlanta office, recently led a successful protest against a local night club glamorizing the "pimp and ho" lifestyle. Atlanta is known as the #1 hub in the nation for trafficking children into sexual exploitation.
The Heritage Foundation recently released their top ten findings regarding teen sexual behavior. As expected, kids from a strong, intact family are less likely to engage in premature sexual activity.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has made clear his desire to end funding for abstinence education in Ohio public schools. Strickland claims abstinence programs have not proven to be effective in reducing pre-marital sex, which is simply not true.
In response to a recent study claiming abstinence education has failed, Michael Craven, founding director of the National Coalition's ministry the Center for Christ & Culture has written an article that soundly defends such sex education. Click here to read Michael's response.
Another social networking site similar to MySpace is coming under pressure as sexual predators use the teen hangout to contact children. The Instant Messaging Virtual Universe allows users to engage in chat, hugs, kisses and sexual conversations.
A campaign in Washington is underway concerning sex education in public schools. Officials from several states want to promote the pro-abortion, pro-contraceptive teachings of Planned Parenthood rather than abstinence education. Lawmakers in favor of comprehensive sex education claim abstinence programs are not medically and scientifically sound.
Social networking sites have exploded in last few years. Connecticut lawmakers are proposing a bill that would require parental consent before minors create profiles on sites such as MySpace.com.
Warren Township Schools in Indiana confirm a disturbing case of sex in a sixth-grade classroom. The illicit activity has parents concerned and a district at a loss for words.
Unfortunately, it is no longer shocking and outrageous to see dolls, designed to entertain girls as young as 4 years old, provocatively dressed. We, as a nation, have become desensitized to the sexualized messages of the culture which are influencing the sexual behavior of our children.
First Lady Laura Bush and female representatives from eight other countries met to discuss ways to protect children from sexual exploitation and trafficking. The conference, which took place in Paris, resulted in potential solutions such as international Amber Alerts and media campaigns.
MySpace is being sued for its lack of security measures to protect children from sexual predators lurking online. Parents of young girls who were victims of sexual abuse claim MySpace is responsible for the tragedies because the website does not protect underage users.
While social networking sites are becoming more and more popular among teens, the risk in using these websites is steadily increasing. Although MySpace and YouTube have recently taken more security and safety measures, other similar sites are unregulated, making it easy for sexual predators to prey on innocent children.
In an effort to keep children safe online, Senator John McCain has recently announced new legislation that would require website operators and bloggers to report illegal online images and videos, including child pornography. The proposal, called the Stop the Online Exploitation of Our Children Act, also requires all profiles by committed sex offenders to be removed from websites.
Once modest, dolls for children have turned up the heat to include sex and glitz. To shield young girls from titillation, moms and dads will want to pass up a few brands this year that have characterized dolls as sexualized objects.
After much lobbying from parents, Rhode Island's State Education Department has recognized the benefits of offering abstinence-only sex education in its public schools. The program, previously barred, will be instated in high schools across the state.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has declared more money will go towards safeguarding children from predators. The funds will support the Project Safe Childhood campaign, which deals specifically with cracking down on Internet child predators. Gonzales' concern and commitment will not only help in protecting more kids but also bring predators to justice.
Canadian Wal-Mart stores are promoting risky sexual behavior to teen girls through the book The Little Black Book for Girlz: A Book on Healthy Sexuality. The outrageous manual promotes homosexuality while giving girls graphic instructions on oral sex acts. Wal-Mart has recently promoted and financially contributed to the homosexual political agenda by changing their policies to include same-sex couples and supporting pro-homosexual organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign.
Former Congressman Mark Foley (R - Fla.) has been caught exchanging sexually explicit emails with teenage boys working as congressional pages Foley helped write the 2002 child pornography law while serving as the co-chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.
Carnegie Mellon University students lined up to watch an XXX rated hard-core pornography movie on campus funded by student activity money. Although some students are not in agreement with their money being used to support pornographic films, the college claims they have no control over how student fees are spent.
The House of Representatives has recently passed the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) with a 410-15 vote. The bill, originally sponsored by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Penn), will require all public schools and libraries to prohibit access through computers to visual images that are obscene, harmful to minors, or contain child pornography.
A sex crimes bill that will locate and track sex offenders is likely to soon pass in Congress. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act will also help to crack down on child pornography and protect kids from sexual predators. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law July 27, the 25th anniversary of the abduction of Adam Walsh.
The social networking website www.myspace.com will launch public service announcements to inform parents and teens of the dangers that lie on the Internet. The advertising campaign, sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other organizations, will feature basic safety tips for teens and warn them against posting personal information on the Web
A new service now allows parents to track the location of their children by using their cell phone. For $10 per month, the Sprint Family Locator by WaveMarket provides parents with a real time interactive map that gives their kids' location. Other wireless carriers, including Verizon and Disney, will soon unveil similar services to compete.
Convicted sex offenders will find it hard to keep a low profile as federal and state laws get more strict. Recent measures to keep communities safe have included extending prison time, restricting sex offenders' residences, improving public notification, and ordering electronic monitoring devices to track their whereabouts.
A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health challenged virginity pledges and sexual histories of adolescents. The study claimed adolescents who initiate sexual activity are likely to recant virginity pledges and abstinence education programs are vulnerable to unreliable data. However, Concerned Women for America has challenged Harvard's publication and maintains abstinence until marriage is the only way to safeguard against STDs and unwanted pregnancies.
The federal government and the technology industry have created a website to provide parents and teens with helpful, practical tips for while using social networking websites such as www.myspace.com. OnGuardOnline.gov gives parents a useful guide to keeping their children safe while socializing online and provides tweens and teens with similar safety information.
3,900 adult films are produced each year in Los Angeles alone. Family-friendly neighborhoods are being inundated with film crews and production companies shooting adult entertainment and parents in surrounding homes are attempting to stop such shootings by circulating petitions.
The popular social networking website www.myspace.com has hired a security chief to police the site against online pedophiles. This comes after heavy scrutiny and claims that MySpace fails to protect its 70 million registered users, many of whom are children and teens, from pornography and sexual predators. Although this is a step in the right direction, parents must continue to monitor and supervise their children as they engage in online activity.
A U.S. Homeland Security official has been arrested for engaging in sexually explicit conversation with a crimes detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on the Internet. Brian Doyle, a deputy press secretary, is being charged on seven counts of seducing a youngster on the computer and 16 counts of transmitting material harmful to minors.
Google, Inc. is still not cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice in releasing its customer data. However, a federal judge announced he plans to require the search engine to disclose the information in an attempt to protect kids from accidental exposure to pornography on the Internet. The Department of Justice is requesting the search engine company comply with the government's subpoena to support the Children's Online Protection Act.
The popular teen website www.myspace.com is generating a lot of publicity recently -- and parents need to listen. Although teens may not be aware, they are opening the door to pedophiles and molesters by posting provocative photos, sexually explicit material and contact information on their personal web pages within MySpace. Unfortunately, a few teens have already been the victims of rape and murder because predators were able to access personal information.
Former 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey is helping teens stay safe online. Lachey was recently approached by an Internet security expert asking for his help to stop pedophiles from using famous names, such as Lachey's, to entice youngsters surfing the Web. Along with others, Lachey co-founded Yfly.com, a chat and networking site for teens with an emphasis on safety features.
Dateline recently exposed the secret life of pedophiles who prey on children through the Internet during a hidden camera investigation. Playing off children's naivety and vulnerability, pedophiles lure youngsters to meet them in person after online conversations have established their trust. Unfortunately, what follows is a series of child sexual exploitation cases that are finally garnering more attention from the media.
As the National Coalition has been reporting, handheld wireless devices continue to be the newest medium pornographers are using to exploit children and teens. Our concern is that the advanced multifunctional cell phones will flood the market before protections are in place and adequate educational materials are available for parents. A recent article in the USA Today brings this issue to the forefront.
America's two largest cable companies are considering offering a family-friendly cable package. Although it's not finalized, Comcast and Time Warner have indicated their intention to offer customers a family-tier option which would include channels such as Disney and Discovery. Both companies are attempting to appease the FCC after Kevin Martin, Chairman of the FCC, recommended a la carte television pricing to give consumers more say in the content entering their home.
A recent article in USA Today exposes the risky sexual behavior teens engage in today. Parents must heighten their awareness of this growing sexual trend and engage in open, honest dialogue with their teens before matters escalates. The National Coalition's Sex & Young America curriculum details the sexual pressures teens face today and teaches how to effectively discuss these difficult issues.
The Federal Trade Commission has been asked by Congress to investigate the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas after explicit sexual scenes were uncovered. Although the sex scenes were already built into the game, hackers can modify other games with a simple line of code that undress characters and push it into adults-only territory.
In its revised 2005 clinical report titled "Adolescent Pregnancy: Current Trends and Issues," the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that physicians encourage adolescents to postpone early sexual activity, but it also emphasizes the responsibility of physicians to “ensure that all adolescents have knowledge of and access to contraception including barrier methods and emergency contraception supplies.”
Children are becoming less interested in outdoor activities as the television, Internet and video games take precedent to previous childhood pastimes. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, the average kid today spends nearly six hours per day sitting in front of a TV, video game or computer being entertained by media. Parents are more reluctant to send their kids outside to the local park because of increased problems with pedophiles.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Quest Communications hosted an Internet safety event for Congress and business leaders in Washington, D.C. The campaign promoted online safety, offering Internet safety tips to encourage safe, responsible online behavior by children and teens.
Parents must be cautious this summer as the infamous Playboy mansion gets glamorized on the small screen. The video game Playboy: The Mansion will soon be released for Playstation 2, along with the memoir Playground: A Childhood Lost Inside the Playboy Mansion and two reality shows that feature Hugh Hefner's girlfriends.
New “Young Adult” Book On Oral Sex Stirs Controversy Rainbow Party, a new book authored by Paul Ruditis, is causing ruckus in libraries and bookstores across the country. The book’s graphic depiction of oral sex among teenagers has made booksellers think twice before promoting the material on their shelves. This underscores the responsibility parents have to monitor what their children read not only at home, but also while visiting the public library.
Carl's Jr., who previously used Hugh Hefner as a spokesperson to help boost profits, has officially moved on to Paris Hilton. The hamburger chain recently aired a racy commercial with Hilton in a skin-tight swimsuit soaping up a Bentley and crawling all over it before taking a big bite out of the burger. Although there has been some protest to the sexy commercial, Carl's Jr. refuses to apologize.
A judge in Maryland has issued a temporary restraining order that restricts teachers from presenting a pro-homosexual sex education curriculum in six public schools. U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. agreed with Citizens for Responsible Curriculum and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays when they challenged the program by stating it only represented one side of the issue. Williams indicated that the curriculum may be in violation of the Constitution's freedom of speech and religion.
Sex in the City, Nip/Tuck and South Park are just a few hit television shows that have sparked recent debate regarding cable television regulation. There are two distinct sides to the issue: some believe cable TV should not be regulated even if programs are offensive to viewers, while others believe cable companies should either provide "cable choice" or accept government regulation.
Playboy to Transmit Photos on PlayStation Portables Playboy has recently partnered with Sony to offer racy images on its PlayStation Portable device. Two non-nude galleries and a short video feature will be offered for free, while "Cyber Club" subscribers will have access to nude shots. This comes on the heels of Playboy's announcement in January to offer similar images on Apple's iPod.
The Kids' Internet, a community built and designed to give children access to the Internet while educating and keeping them safer, is available for download at www.thekidsinternet.com. Kids can choose from a variety of free, themed browsers that appeal to all ages and genders. Although this is a great resource, remember it is not infallible. Parents still need to engage with their children as they surf the Internet.
Movie critic Michael Medved suggests a new rating of "R-13" because many "PG-13" rated movies actually come closer to an "R" rating.
A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation has raised concerns over our media-saturated culture and its impact on today's children who lack concentration and critical thinking skills. Instead of being intellectually stimulated, children are entertained by television, movies, video games and computers, which make it more difficult to focus on one task.
What does every parent need to know about emerging technology? Dan Panetti, the National Coalition's vice president for legal and public policy, has crafted a paper (PDF) that describes emerging technologies and its impact on teens. The paper also includes suggestions for parents who are concerned about their youngsters being exposed to pornography via cellphones.
