logo
Kids are getting propositioned in virtual reality, and right now it's legal

Kids are getting propositioned in virtual reality, and right now it's legal

Yahoo07-02-2025

In Utah, it is a felony for an adult to reach out to a minor via text to meet up for sexual relations. But if the adult propositions a minor in virtual reality, that isn't illegal.
'Many mistakenly believe that because something happens in the digital space, it isn't real or harmful, but for a child, these experiences are psychologically damaging,' Rep. Verona Mauga, D-Salt Lake County, said Thursday during the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee meeting.
So far in this year's legislative session, bills regarding crimes against children appear to be highly unifying issues across party lines. Mauga's bill, HB358, was no exception.
Passed with favorable recommendation by the committee, HB358 creates the following criminal offenses:
Using virtual reality to participate in sexual activity with a child.
Requesting sexually explicit conduct from an individual who is in custody.
Mauga said the bill 'targets offenders hiding behind avatars' and 'makes it clear that virtual reality is not a loophole for predators, and it ensures real consequences for virtual crimes if an adult is knowingly using VR technology to engage in sexual activities with a child.'
Because it is not always clear what age a person is when participating in VR, Mauga clarified that the bill applies to people who 'knowingly' engage in sexual acts with a minor.
Brett Robinson, senior attorney in the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, who spoke on the bill, shared a case where he had to seek a warrant for a Snapchat account.
In this case, Robinson said a mother had found her 11-year-old daughter who had fallen asleep with her VR headset on. When she went to lift the headset off her daughter, she found messages sent to her daughter via Snapchat by an adult.
The messages were along the lines of wanting the little girl to return to VR so they could participate in sexual relations again. Robinson said it was a 'friend of a friend' whom the girl had never met in person.
He also spoke on the second criminal offense included in the bill. Robinson said that requesting sexually explicit conduct from an individual who is in custody was included in the bill because of a separate but similar situation where, under a technicality, it wasn't illegal.
'These are two ways where the laws don't protect the ways that people will use technology to harm vulnerable people.'
According to a study that came out last year by Florida Atlantic University, significant numbers of minors have reported experiencing various forms of harassment while in virtual spaces. The study examined 5,005 13 to 17-year-old kids from the United States and found the following statistics:
Nearly 19% encountered sexual harassment.
Around 21% faced undesirable violent or sexual content.
18.1% encountered grooming or predatory conduct.
30% were targeted for characteristics including weight, sexual preference, sexual orientation or political affiliation.
Girls were reportedly targeted more in terms of sexual harassment and grooming/predatory behavior.
'Right here in our state, in Utah and across the country, we are seeing adults engaging in cyber sex with children using virtual reality, and there is no legal mechanism to protect our children,' Mauga said. 'I think it would be prudent of us to do what we can to protect them.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bomb Threat At Detroit Airport Came From Spirit Airlines Passenger Who Missed Their Flight
Bomb Threat At Detroit Airport Came From Spirit Airlines Passenger Who Missed Their Flight

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Bomb Threat At Detroit Airport Came From Spirit Airlines Passenger Who Missed Their Flight

Hey, remember that bomb threat at the Detroit airport last week? The one that we were pretty sure was fake after an inspection team didn't find anything, after forcing everyone off the Spirit Airlines plane? Turns out, authorities believe they've caught the person responsible, it really was fake and the reason they gave for calling in the bomb threat is going to make you want to repeatedly slam your head on your desk until you can't see straight. Apparently, the Michigan man allegedly responsible was just mad he missed his flight, the Federal Bureau of Investigation alleges. According to the FBI, the guy responsible is John Charles Robinson, a 23-year-old from Monroe, Michigan. Robinson was reportedly booked on Spirit Airlines Flight 2145 but missed his flight and was forced to rebook. That's when he allegedly decided to call in the bomb threat, saying, "I was calling about 2145... because I have information about that flight," "[T]here's gonna be someone who's gonna try to blow up the airport," and "[T]here's gonna be someone that's gonna try to blow up that flight, 2145." Robinson then gave a description of the alleged bomber before adding, "[T]hey're going to be carrying a bomb through the TSA," and, "[T]hey're still threatening to do it, they're still attempted to do it, they said it's not going to be able to be detected. Please don't let that flight board." Technically, it did work in the sense that they immediately canceled the flight, but when Robinson showed up for his rebooked flight, the FBI arrested him. Read more: These Are What You Wanted As First Cars (And What You Got Instead) Robinson has since been released on bond and will make his next court appearance on June 27. While everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty, it also sounds like the FBI has this case pretty much wrapped up, as ABC News reports that after authorities played the call back to Robinson, he "listened to the above-mentioned recording and confirmed he was the one that made the recorded phone call to Spirit Airlines." He "also stated that the phone number that called the bomb threat in to Spirit Airlines was his phone number (and had been for approximately 6 years), that the target cellular device was his device, and he gave written consent for a search of his device." "Anyone who threatens to bomb an aircraft and endanger public safety will be swiftly investigated and brought to justice," Cheyvoryea Gibson, head of the FBI's Detroit Field Office, said in a statement. "The alleged bomb threat prompted a coordinated response by our FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, in partnership with the Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department and the U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service, leading to the arrest of John Robinson as he attempted to board another flight at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. We remain committed to protecting the public and confronting those who seek to spread fear in our communities." He currently faces charges of "use of a cellphone to threaten/maliciously convey false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt to damage/destroy an airplane by means of an explosive" and providing "false information and hoaxes." While it appears to be his first offense, in addition to a fine of up to $5,000, he could also be looking at as much as five years in prison for the first charge. If convicted, he'll also forever be known as the moron who called in a bomb threat because he was so desperate to get on a Spirit Airlines flight. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

CCTV captures terrifying moment hired thug with sawn-off shotgun opens fire at homes amid bitter gangland feud
CCTV captures terrifying moment hired thug with sawn-off shotgun opens fire at homes amid bitter gangland feud

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

CCTV captures terrifying moment hired thug with sawn-off shotgun opens fire at homes amid bitter gangland feud

Shocking footage captures the moment a hired gunman fires at homes amid a bitter gangland feud. Kieran Morgan, 30, was caught on camera wielding a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun opening fire in broad daylight and in the early hours in another appalling attack. He also fired a shotgun in a busy takeaway in a third shooting committed within the space of a few weeks. Zaki Shazad, 22, was the 'organiser' of the attacks, but was operating on behalf of unknown more senior underworld figures, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. A judge said the shootings had 'all the hallmarks of a dispute between serious organised criminals'. Miraculously, no one was hurt in any of the incidents, which happened in March and April 2023. Now Morgan has been sentenced to 18 years in jail, and Shazad to 16 years in prison. The first shooting happened on March 12 on Doric Avenue in Heald Green, Stockport. Morgan, with another man, was wearing a mask and dark clothing when he approached and fired a shotgun at the house. He then threw a homemade explosive device towards the property, but it bounced off a wall before Morgan picked it up and threw it at a higher trajectory where it 'went off like a firework'. Greater Manchester Police said that forensic testing later the device contained hydrochloric acid. Morgan then fled the scene in a Mercedes. The second shooting happened in broad daylight at a house on Wilmslow Road in Heald Green on April 21, when a family including a child were packing up their car for Eid celebrations. Morgan arrived at the scene in the afternoon with a hold-all bag, containing the shotgun. Wearing a face mask, he opened fire towards the property. No-one was hurt but there was damage caused to the house. The third shooting took place at the Drip burger bar on Kingsway nine days later, on April 30. Morgan entered the restaurant, immediately firing one shot before firing another soon after. One hit a wall next to a TV, and the other hit the counter. Staff were behind the counter at the time and customers were in the front of the restaurant. Prosecutor David Farley said those inside were 'clearly and understandably terrified'. Morgan fled on a bike. Shazad was the 'organiser' of the shootings. Messages sent between the pair on Snapchat show that Morgan was to be paid £1,000 by him for the 'jobs'. Shazad, of Ranford Road, Levenshulme, was found guilty of conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. Morgan, of Petworth Avenue, Chadderton, pleaded guilty to the same offence. Police said that the three shootings were linked after officers received intelligence. They trawled through CCTV footage which helped to identify Morgan, who was seen wearing a Canada Goose jacket. He later posted a picture of himself on social media wearing the same jacket. His face was also seen on one CCTV clip after he had removed a balaclava. Shazad was also sentenced after he was caught trying to smuggle in cannabis to a relative who was in HMP Berwyn in North Wales. He pleaded guilty to conveying a list A article into prison and possessing cannabis. Defending Morgan, Keith Harrison said the defendant has suffered from 'recurring mental health problems'. For Shazad, David Bentley said that he was involved in assisting Morgan, but that he was not the 'Mr Big'. After the hearing, Detective Inspector Lee Newburn, of GMP, said: 'Violence, particularly this kind of revenge violence, will not be tolerated on the streets of Manchester. We have seen two dangerous individuals locked up for their parts in a number of firearms discharges targeting properties where innocent people were present. 'It is miraculous that no-one was seriously injured during these firearms discharges, but they could very easily have been. One of the victims of these shootings has described to me how scared she now is to go out in public and just how shaken she is about what happened. Nobody should be made to feel like this. 'We continue to work very closely with the communities in and around Greater Manchester to ensure that we protect them from this kind of violence, and we are grateful for the intelligence that we receive from them in relation to illegal activity on a daily basis. 'We also work closely with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which is a multi-agency team we are part of, and we seek to prevent violence from occurring by addressing underlying issues and educating those who may be at risk of re-offending. 'We do this by providing valuable input in prevention work that our partners are carrying out on an ongoing basis, working behind the scenes to manage serious incidents before they occur. That is why we are asking, if you know anyone who is using, or possesses, an illegal firearm, we urge you to get in touch with us as, for each firearm we recover, that's potentially a life saved."

Democratic FTC Commissioner Quits—But That Doesn't Mean He's Dropping His Lawsuit
Democratic FTC Commissioner Quits—But That Doesn't Mean He's Dropping His Lawsuit

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Democratic FTC Commissioner Quits—But That Doesn't Mean He's Dropping His Lawsuit

Alvaro Bedoya, former commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), formally resigned on Monday after he and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the other Democrat-appointed commissioner, were fired by President Donald Trump in March. Bedoya and Slaughter have challenged the president in court, with Slaughter arguing that the firings violated "the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent." Although Bedoya and Slaughter will continue pursuing their legal challenge to the firings, Bedoya's pressured resignation represents a major blow to the security of independent agency executives. The Supreme Court precedent invoked by Bedoya and Slaughter is Humphrey's Executor v. U.S. (1935), which was prompted by then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's attempted firing of FTC Commissioner William E. Humphrey, who former President Herbert Hoover had appointed to serve a second, seven-year term on the commission in 1931. The Court unanimously ruled against Roosevelt, finding that the president is not free to fire officers of those "quasi legislative or quasi judicial agencies" created by Congress without cause. The president's ability to fire such officers at will "threatens the independence of a commission…as an agency of the legislative and judicial departments," thereby undermining the separation of powers codified in the Constitution. (The existence of executive agencies that simultaneously wield legislative and judicial powers is itself a blatant violation of this principle.) On Monday, Bedoya filed a supplemental declaration to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the court hearing his and Slaughter's case against the Trump administration) providing his reasons for formally resigning. Bedoya explained that he has been denied his wages as FTC commissioner following his firing and that, to comply with rules and regulations, he has not accepted other employment opportunities. Since Bedoya can "no longer afford to go without any source of income for [his] family," he resigned "out of an abundance" to pursue paid employment outside the agency. Former FTC Chair Lina Khan credited Bedoya with reviving the Robinson-Patman Act, which outlaws price discrimination, and thanked him for "his remarkable tenure" as an FTC commissioner and "his outstanding public service." She described Bedoya's resignation as "a huge loss." FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Commissioner Melissa Holyoak—both of whom are named as defendants in Bedoya and Slaughter's lawsuit—have not yet spoken publicly about Bedoya's resignation, nor has the more recently appointed commissioner, Mark Meador. The partisan divisions between FTC commissioners belie claims of the very independence that the Supreme Court regarded as "essential [so] that the commission should not be open to the suspicion of partisan direction" in Humphrey's Executor. Regardless of the partisanship of the FTC and the constitutionality of Humphrey's Executor, the now-resigned commissioner is "still suing the President! Not dropping out of the lawsuit," Bedoya emphasized on X. The post Democratic FTC Commissioner Quits—But That Doesn't Mean He's Dropping His Lawsuit appeared first on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store