Teens Arrested for Child Pornography--For Photos of Themselves
Two girls, age 14 and 15, have been arrested and charged with disseminating child porn--for sending pictures of themselves.
The teen girls from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, were arrested along with two teen boys, ages 16 and 17, who are accused of having received the photos over their cell phones.
Ironically, the law could also classify the "criminals" as victims. The underage girls could be classifed as victims of sex crimes because two teenagers possessed their nude photos. And the underage boys could be classified as victims of sex crimes because they were sent "child pornography." So if the law punishes the "criminals," it also punishes the "victims."
Some American laws are just too stupid to believe.
And these teens aren't the only ones. Others have been prosecuted under the same kind of laws. In fact, millions of teens could be arrested for disseminating child pornography. According to a survey released in December 2008 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 20 percent of teens have sent nude photos of themselves to someone electronically. And many more have possessed such photos.
In other words, the biggest producers, and probably consumers, of kiddie porn are kids.
These laws are supposedly written to protect the victims. But who is victimizing them? Themselves, or the government?
Am I the only one who thinks there needs to be some changes to these laws?
I learned about this at http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/01/teens-send-nude-pics-to-one-other-face-kiddie-porn-charges.ars For more info, see http://www.wpxi.com/news/18469160/detail.html (about the arrest) and the survey results in pdf form at http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/PDF/SexTech_Summary.pdf
Comments
You are not the only one. These laws are not only stupid they're criminal! Nobody has any business sticking their noses into our sex lives. If teens want to flash each other, they should be able to do it. We played sex games and strip poker when I was a kid. Should we all be arrested?
Posted by: Gina | February 16, 2009 11:37 PM
I'm sorry but this is just stupid! I believe if it hurts no one do as you will. Who does it hurt if somebody sees u naked? Im a nudist Ive been one for years. It doesnt even say if the photos were sexy they could have been just nudes. But if they were sexy so what? How can the government say ur a criminal when u r ur own victim? That just doesnt make sense!
And even if they make the law so its not illegal if ur under 18 it still doesnt work. If u want an 18 year old to see ur pics does that mean ur abused? What if its a 20 year old or 25 or 30? What age does everything change?
Forcing ppl to do sex things they dont want to do is wrong no matter how old they are. But how can u be punished for taking pics of urself?
Posted by: Lorien Loveshade | February 17, 2009 05:24 AM
More proof that Americans are crazy.
Posted by: Aussie Guy | February 17, 2009 01:05 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that picture looks pretty nasty? Where are everybody's hands touching anyway? Did you have to put up child pornography for a story about kiddie porn?
Oh hey. Just read that picture's from the U. S. government. Suddenly it all makes sense. Not.
Posted by: Cynical Carl from Next Door | February 17, 2009 11:42 PM
I think there's nothing wrong with that picture. Some people see wrong things everywhere! Like those who arrested those poor girls. They are victims of modern society. Society says girls have to be sexy to be good. Actresses pose nude. Even athletes are posing nude. Your heros are doing it so you do too.
Posted by: Julie Lewis | February 19, 2009 05:50 PM
Problem here is nobody seems to realize that 14 and 15 year old "girls" are women. When you hit puberty, you're an adult. Didn't I read that somewhere on this site? Surprised you Loveshades didn't point that out.
Posted by: Frankly My Dear | February 20, 2009 11:21 PM
Your Government: enforcing stupid laws for your protection.
Posted by: Dead Fred | February 22, 2009 01:48 PM
These laws are not stupid, they are necessary. Do you think they should make child pornography legal? Lusting after anyone other than your husband or wife is an abomination before God. All pornography should be illegal because it leads people into sin.
Posted by: Christian Andy | February 23, 2009 07:52 AM
Does this mean if someone under age 18 masturbates, it's child sexual abuse?
Posted by: Pr0n for the Masses | February 27, 2009 01:43 AM
Masses what you do to yourself is not the same as what someone does to you! Self pleasuring is something that teenagers will do before marriage. It keeps them from sinful activity that could lead to pregnancy and disease.
It should not continue into marriage, because sharing mutual love and affection with your husband or wife is a part of marriage. Then self-pleasuring becomes a selfish act.
Posted by: Christian Andy | February 27, 2009 09:50 PM
But in this case it is the same. The teens took pictures of themselves, and for that they're being prosecuted.
Posted by: Orlando Bloomers | March 3, 2009 03:35 AM
The human body and the sex act are beautiful. What someone chooses to do with their own body is not against nature, and should not be against the law. The law should stay out of what people choose to do of their own free will.
"An it harms none, do as thou wilt."
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | March 7, 2009 04:05 PM
That is so stupid!
Posted by: Jeffrey Mansfield | March 12, 2009 04:48 PM
Aren't the laws designed to protect younger people from older predators? These girls can't be older than themselves. Are they both the predator and the victim?
Posted by: Holly on a Tree | April 5, 2009 01:28 PM
Where's the pics?
Posted by: Simon Adams | April 8, 2009 05:04 PM
Some laws are too stupid to live.
Worry is spiritual short sight. Its cure is intelligent faith.
Posted by: Cess Michaels | October 16, 2010 04:22 PM
Thanks, I've recently been hunting for facts about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. A law that makes the victims the criminals makes no sense. If teens want to send each other their sexy photos, more power to them.
Posted by: Christina | October 28, 2010 06:07 AM
If teenagers get pleasure from showing themselves naked, let them post those photos everywhere.
Posted by: Great Teen Wonder Lizard | October 29, 2010 11:55 PM