(ConservativeJournal.org) – Virginian Democrat Jennifer McClellan proposed a new bill recently to ban “cyberflashing”. Cyberflashing is a term used for somebody sending unsolicited sexual images through texting, social media, or email. McClellan expressed concerns over the prevalence of cyberflashing, emphasizing the need for legal consequences for this type of behavior.
The bill is called the “CONSENT Act” and was introduced on March 20 by McClellan and Nathaniel Moran, a Republican congressman from Texas.
McClellan blames the recent increase in cyberflashing incidents on AI. She believes the technology has reached the point where it can make believable fake sexual images of pretty much anybody online. This makes it easier for victims to be targeted or harassed for pictures they did not take. She stressed how important it is that the issue is immediately addressed, especially since AI technology continues to evolve rapidly.
The sponsors showed examples of even famous celebrities like Keke Palmer and Chrishell Stause being affected by cyberflashing. They also pointed to research showing how AI technologies contribute to online sexual exploitation.
In describing the bill, both McClellan and Moran cited statistics showing that a large number of young women have experienced exposure to unsolicited explicit images. They believe that it has now become a big enough issue that there should be a federal law addressing this behavior.
If passed into law, the bill would provide legal help for victims of cyberflashing, including monetary damages, reimbursement for legal fees, and being able to get restraining orders against offenders. It would also help parents of victims take civil action on behalf of minors who have been targeted.
The bill is similar to some efforts in the past attempting to fight online sexual harassment, including some state laws. McClellan was already involved in one such attempt in Virginia.
By addressing the growing threat of online sexual harassment and exploitation, the new bill would hopefully protect people from the harmful consequences of cyberflashing and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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