Should sexting between TWO minors be illegal? [Archive]

Daniel_

January 23rd, 2011, 11:50 PM

Amnesiac

January 23rd, 2011, 11:52 PM

Of course not. The fact that we're putting teens on the fucking sex offender list for this is ridiculous; a by-product of socially conservative values. It should be perfectly legal for two consenting teens to interact with each other. Those who distribute the pictures to parties without the consent of the individual in the picture, however, should be subject to prosecution for privacy breaches.

Daniel_

January 24th, 2011, 12:00 AM

Agreed completely, it seems quite odd that it's legal for two minors to actually engage in sexual intercourse, but one minor possessing nude photos of another will get you on the sex offenders list? It just sounds pretty fucked up to me.

The Joker

January 24th, 2011, 01:19 AM

If both are willing, and consenting, they should be allowed. This is the same as my "child porn should be legalized" argument. If they are old enough to legally have sex with each other, they should also be able to send pictures or videos to the other person. It's not a great idea, though. I wouldn't trust a majority of people with nude pictures of myself. It's likely to be spread.

Redheads Rule

January 24th, 2011, 01:32 AM

Definatley should not be illegal!!
As long as both people are ok with it.
One of my "girl" friends had a guy send her a pick of himself masturbating after she told him no to. That sorta stuff should be illegal.
Although I have never "sexted" with any1 it would probz be good lol

Death

January 24th, 2011, 12:03 PM

This is yet another example of a loophole in modern law and why it quite simply sucks. You would have thought that the law would be a bit more sensical by 2011, but on the other hand, pehaps not.

DinoCrisisFan

January 24th, 2011, 05:13 PM

No, of course it shouldn't be illegal.

Vonn

January 24th, 2011, 05:18 PM

If they're consenting, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to. They can have sex, which kind of involves seeing each other naked, but one nude photo and they're fucked over by this stupid law. The sex offender list should be for dangerous predators, not two teenagers who were keeping to themselves.

Skeptical Bear

January 24th, 2011, 05:29 PM

Sogeking

January 24th, 2011, 05:45 PM

BOBBY HILL

January 24th, 2011, 05:52 PM

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

Vonn

January 24th, 2011, 05:54 PM

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

What's the difference between seeing your partner naked and seeing a naked picture of them? (In the instance between two minors.)

Amnesiac

January 24th, 2011, 05:57 PM

One of the reasons why it would be illegal is to prevent any kind of danger between them. There are just some kids who'll want to ruin that other persons life by showing the picture around to others. It shouldn't be illegal, but it wouldn't matter from my perspective.

I second this.

Also, I think the only reason it is up is because when the person has his pictures spread around, he/she would probably want some legal action done. If it were made legal, the number of these cases would probably rise. And since people get lazy sometimes, they would think that it were better for it to be illegal.

Remember, privacy laws already cover the posting of images of people without their consent. This law against sexting is pointless.

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

If an adult can own a naked picture of themselves, why can't a teenager?

Afraid Of Me

January 24th, 2011, 07:11 PM

i think its illegal because at that point with privacy laws like someone on here has said if teens are sending naked pictures of themselves one can say it wasnt consented even if at the time that it happened it was. it becomes a one persons word against anothers. anybody could've sent the picture to anyone else. if one person gets it so can all of their friends and all of their friends. not a good idea in my opinion

Jess

January 24th, 2011, 07:44 PM

no I don't think it should be illegal...

but tbh, I don't understand why you would do it in the first place....imo it's disgusting...

Modus Operandi

January 24th, 2011, 09:07 PM

I understand the opposite side's arguments: the pictures could be stolen and widely distributed to...unsavory people. Also, because it's digital, there's no proof that it was in fact consensual, and thus no way to prove that it wasn't being used as a bullying method, e.g., send me a nude shot or I'll x (x being anything the other party would rather not happen).

I feel like it should not be illegal, however, because as pointed out earlier, it's a double standard. Additionally, the punishments are absurd. The placing of offenders on the sex offender registry for example.

A teen should not be placed on the very list meant to protect them. That's stupid and it serves no real purpose.

Sogeking

January 24th, 2011, 09:55 PM

Remember, privacy laws already cover the posting of images of people without their consent. This law against sexting is pointless.

I still stand by my original point. If it were to be legalized, the number of cases would rise. Meaning more time and money spent on solving the mystery of "OMG, who did to me!!!". If people are too immature to handle the consequences of their actions, then it would be better then to keep it illegal. It would save a lot of people a lot of trouble.

Daniel_

January 24th, 2011, 09:58 PM

I still stand by my original point. If it were to be legalized, the number of cases would rise. Meaning more time and money spent on solving the mystery of "OMG, who did to me!!!". If people are too immature to handle the consequences of their actions, then it would be better then to keep it illegal. It would save a lot of people a lot of trouble.

If people are to immature to handle the consequences of their own actions, they should have known better and must learn from their mistakes. If they do not, they will see their chances of being successful in life dramatically decrease.

Sogeking

January 24th, 2011, 10:02 PM

If people are to immature to handle the consequences of their own actions, they should have known better and must learn from their mistakes. If they do not, they will see their chances of being successful in life dramatically decrease.

That's still possible, this law doesn't stop that.

WaahZombie

January 24th, 2011, 10:33 PM

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

couldnt agree more.
it is child pornography and that should remain illegal.

Amnesiac

January 24th, 2011, 10:43 PM

I can just feel the social conservative overtones like microwaved lasagna burning my tongue. Obviously, nobody paid attention to this question:

If an adult can own a naked picture of themselves, why can't a teenager?

Vonn

January 24th, 2011, 10:48 PM

"Because it's child pornography" isn't really a good answer.

If a teenager's naked pictures were to get out, passed around the school, mocked, etc., they were probably careless with the pictures and would respond most likely with depression and possibly suicide.

An adult would handle it differently, but I don't really know how since adults are allowed to have nude photos and don't stress much over them.

If a teenager wants a naked picture of themselves for whatever reason, as long as they guard that picture like you would guard porn from your parents, there's no problem. I can't believe you would get in trouble for having a naked picture of yourself, even if nobody else ever sees it.

Scooby Dooby Drew

January 24th, 2011, 10:54 PM

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

....what?
That's like saying we should arrest children for "playing doctor", because it's pedophilia and it doesn't matter how old they are.
It's fucking stupid of a teenager to take naked pictures of themselves, but if they wanna, let 'em...
There's a good chance it'll come back and bit them in the butt~

Modus Operandi

January 24th, 2011, 11:05 PM

....what?
That's like saying we should arrest children for "playing doctor", because it's pedophilia and it doesn't matter how old they are.

This is a good point.

You can't really call someone who's not an adult a pedo/ephebophile (spelling?), can you? Any argument that uses absolutes will have a way for it to be turned in on itself (yes, this one included).

Skeptical Bear

January 24th, 2011, 11:09 PM

Then again. Making it illegal would bring the count down. People will think twice and you won't see so many poor kids dying over this shit either.

Amnesiac

January 24th, 2011, 11:13 PM

Then again. Making it illegal would bring the count down. People will think twice and you won't see so many poor kids dying over this shit either.

Just like criminalizing marijuana brought down the number of teens who smoke it? (http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/data/05data/pr05t13.pdf)

Scooby Dooby Drew

January 24th, 2011, 11:17 PM

Just like criminalizing marijuana brought down the number of teens who smoke it?

I gotta agree, any law like that wouldn't be easy to enforce, nor would there be any suitable punishments for a teen breaking the law (I think castration would be a good one, if they can't keep it in their pants they don't get to keep it at all, but unfortunately so many disagree~)
Really, any teens who want to do it and see no moral reasons not to would, regardless of laws.....

Sogeking

January 24th, 2011, 11:40 PM

If your going to keep photos of yourself for whatever reason, you can do so, just don't let them get loose. 'cause thats when the shit hits the fan. Plus, the law is just as enforcible as cracking down on legit child porn. You don't see those pics flying around the internet like a swarm now do you? Also, an adult would handle the situation more maturely. Granted, there will be immature adults and mature teenagers. I thinks there should be exceptions. But when those adults and teens are in the minority, then the law should stay put.

The Joker

January 25th, 2011, 03:51 AM

Yes. You're owning child pornography. Doesn't matter how old you are.

Oh, so teenagers are allowed to have sex but can't simply share pictures with each other? I understand child porn laws in terms of people over the age of 18, but it's hypocritical that kids our age can't watch porn of people our age or at least see pictures.

Korashk

January 25th, 2011, 04:07 AM

Then again. Making it illegal would bring the count down. People will think twice and you won't see so many poor kids dying over this shit either.
An activity going from illegal to illegal almost universally reduces how much people indulge in said activity. Likewise, outlawing an activity almost universally increases the rate of which that activity is done. This of course applies to the time period around which the paradigm shift occurs.

BOBBY HILL

January 25th, 2011, 07:18 AM

What's the difference between seeing your partner naked and seeing a naked picture of them? (In the instance between two minors.)

Well for one, you're both just kids, and I really fucking doubt any teen love infatuation high school crush relationship is really going to go that far, seeing as teens just love to make drama, the chances of actually staying together for life are pretty damn low.

Also it's the fucking law.

http://knowyourmeme.com/i/000/052/812/original/Deal_with_it_dog_gif.gif?1275684729

If an adult can own a naked picture of themselves, why can't a teenager?
Want to know what sexting is?

Sexting isn't sending naked photos to yourself, it's sending it to someone else. And how I was making the point above, teens are too stupid and irresponsible to be handling something that's illegal like CP.

Oh, so teenagers are allowed to have sex but can't simply share pictures with each other? I understand child porn laws in terms of people over the age of 18, but it's hypocritical that kids our age can't watch porn of people our age or at least see pictures.
>Teenagers are allowed to have sex

Yes. But that's another example of them being really fucking STUPID.

They can't share pictures with others because

1. IT'S STILL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

2. Break up, guy gets mad, sends nude photos to everyone, witch could then leak onto the internet.

Legalizing texting is pretty much a way to encourage child pornography.

I fucking dare you to go up to the senate and tell them that sexting should be legal without looking like a total fucking idiot. Oh wait, you couldn't

Just like criminalizing marijuana brought down the number of teens who smoke it? (http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/data/05data/pr05t13.pdf)
Because everyone knows drugs and CP are in the same ball park, right?

Amnesiac

January 25th, 2011, 05:37 PM

Also it's the fucking law.

>implying the law can't be changed
>implying the entire point of a debate board isn't to debate but just say "it's the law dealwithit.gif"

Want to know what sexting is?

Sexting isn't sending naked photos to yourself, it's sending it to someone else. And how I was making the point above, teens are too stupid and irresponsible to be handling something that's illegal like CP.

Well, under child pornography laws a teenager can be prosecuted for taking a naked photo of themselves as well.

Because everyone knows drugs and CP are in the same ball park, right?

In this case, yes, because they're two perfect examples of how making something illegal doesn't affect how much it's done. Teens smoke weed. Teens sext. Both of those things are illegal, and everyone still does it anyway.

Bluesman

January 25th, 2011, 08:58 PM

Well I'm a conservative so this will sound odd coming from me but either make both having sex and sexting legal or make both of them illegal. I really think that it should be legal though... I mean as the OP said it's ridiculous to see 13 year olds beings RSO's

RebeccaChambers

January 26th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Of course it's not illegal, nor should it be.

carlotte

January 26th, 2011, 09:54 AM

No its not. it doesnt matter how young we are. for me

RebeccaChambers

January 26th, 2011, 11:22 AM

Vonn

January 26th, 2011, 11:24 AM

RSO?

Registered Sex Offenders, I think.

RebeccaChambers

January 26th, 2011, 11:39 AM

Registered Sex Offenders, I think.

Oh. Yeah that would be weird seeing 13 year olds on the sex offender registry. Hell it's weird to see 18 year olds on the sex offender ergistry. It pisses me off when I read the news and some 18 year old consensually banged his 13-17 year old gf and now he's in prison and on the registry, and everything else.

Mrs.KermitTheFrogx

January 26th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Oh. Yeah that would be weird seeing 13 year olds on the sex offender registry. Hell it's weird to see 18 year olds on the sex offender ergistry. It pisses me off when I read the news and some 18 year old consensually banged his 13-17 year old gf and now he's in prison and on the registry, and everything else.

My brothers friend got put in prison for this
he was with his girlfriend from when they were 14&15 and had sex from about 15&16 but when he turned 18 and she was 17 he got put in prison but for about a year (i think)but that means he has wasted a year of his life. No chance of getting a job for a few years and basically fucked up his life because he is a registered sex offender becasue he had sex with his girfriend who was 1 year younger than him. one word PATHETIC !

And no i think if your silly enough to send out naked pictures of yourself you should be stupid enough to realise its going to turn round and bite you in the bum one day. i dont think it should be illegal.If a minor and a adult did this say 18+ and a -16 did it it could be a diffrent matter but were i live its illegal for two minors to have sex anyway , as the guy can be done for statury rape (even if she consented to it ) its fucked up ... but goverments fucked up to be honest x

gingeylover14

January 27th, 2011, 10:47 AM

if its legal for my bf to get me pregnet then itn should be legal for me to send him a nude pic of me

Amnesiac

January 27th, 2011, 05:53 PM

if its legal for my bf to get me pregnet then itn should be legal for me to send him a nude pic of me

Well, the problem is that it isn't.

Actually, throughout this thread I've seen people assume it's legal for teens to have sex. It isn't. However, enforcing the age of consent law is so incredibly difficult that many states have given up and adopted a safe-sex strategy, which actually works.

The Joker

January 28th, 2011, 02:47 AM

It isn't.

Wrong. (at least for Canada) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#Canada)

At the age of twelve, you have the ability to have sex with someone no older than fourteen. At thirteen, you can only have sex with someone up to fifteen. From fourteen through to fifteen, there is the ability to have sex with someone up to five years older. So, in Canada, you're allowed to have sex (and be under the age of consent) from ages twelve to fifteen, it's just your partner's are limited due to age.

Death

January 28th, 2011, 02:53 AM

couldnt agree more.
it is child pornography and that should remain illegal.

And yet you can simply do the deed. Pretty counter-intuitive, is it not?

Daniel_

January 28th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Well, the problem is that it isn't.

Actually, throughout this thread I've seen people assume it's legal for teens to have sex. It isn't. However, enforcing the age of consent law is so incredibly difficult that many states have given up and adopted a safe-sex strategy, which actually works.

It's legal for two minors to have sex where I live, but not sure about where your at. And it's not all complicated like in Canada, it's just if your both over 16, have at it. They just try and enforce safe sex programs and stuff like that by handing out free condoms at public drug stores, etc etc.

Quahog

January 28th, 2011, 05:34 PM

It should be. But it won't be. Kids are always willing to do the wrong things, and they won't be happy until something bad happens to them.

Daniel_

January 28th, 2011, 05:57 PM

It should be. But it won't be. Kids are always willing to do the wrong things, and they won't be happy until something bad happens to them.

True, but theres a big difference between a kid and a teenager.

gingeylover14

January 28th, 2011, 06:49 PM

i gotta say if my bf can see me naked and fuck me y shouldnt he b able 2 have a nude pic of me

Amnesiac

January 28th, 2011, 06:52 PM

Wrong. (at least for Canada) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#Canada)

At the age of twelve, you have the ability to have sex with someone no older than fourteen. At thirteen, you can only have sex with someone up to fifteen. From fourteen through to fifteen, there is the ability to have sex with someone up to five years older. So, in Canada, you're allowed to have sex (and be under the age of consent) from ages twelve to fifteen, it's just your partner's are limited due to age.

God fucking dammit Canada. Down here in Social Conservativeville, they're telling us guys that we'll go to jail for getting a fucking blowjob while you son of Frenchmen get to fuck bitches whenever you want.

Ridiculous, just ridiculous.

So, for everybody in the United States... it's still illegal.

Daniel_

January 28th, 2011, 10:45 PM

So, for everybody in the United States... it's still illegal.

.. Not where I live.

Bluesman

January 29th, 2011, 08:15 PM

Registered Sex Offenders, I think.

Yeah... sorry that wasn't clear. I thought everyone knew what it meant.

ShyGuyInChicago

January 29th, 2011, 09:48 PM

Well, the problem is that it isn't.

Actually, throughout this thread I've seen people assume it's legal for teens to have sex. It isn't. However, enforcing the age of consent law is so incredibly difficult that many states have given up and adopted a safe-sex strategy, which actually works.

I think you are partially mistaken. I think you mean underage sex which is separate from age of consent. The age of consent law is designed to protect children and teens from adults sexually taking advantage of them and that easier to enforce than two teens under the age of consent having consensual sex.

Amnesiac

January 29th, 2011, 10:00 PM

I think you are partially mistaken. I think you mean underage sex which is separate from age of consent. The age of consent law is designed to protect children and teens from adults sexually taking advantage of them and that easier to enforce than two teens under the age of consent having consensual sex.

Well, from what my middle school told me, it's illegal for two teens to engage in sexual activity as well. If I could find that story I told about the cop from Beaumont giving us a fucking lecture on how illegal everything everyone does is, I'd quote it here.

ShyGuyInChicago

January 29th, 2011, 10:13 PM

Well, from what my middle school told me, it's illegal for two teens to engage in sexual activity as well. If I could find that story I told about the cop from Beaumont giving us a fucking lecture on how illegal everything everyone does is, I'd quote it here.

I apologize. I may need to correct my statement. I looked up the laws in the state of Illinois on website and I am not sure and it is illegal to have sex under age 17 which is the age of consent. It might be the same in other states as well, but then some states might not even outlaw sex between minors. However, I know for one state (Pennsylvania) the age of consent is 13 when the older partner is no more than four years older and in all other cases the age of consent is 16. And in other states there are also close in age exceptions. I think the confusion I had was that age of consent is often referred to in the context of sex between people of different ages and it is rarely stated (in my own experience, at least) that people under the age of consent are not legally allowed to have sex.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#United_States

There is some info in the link, but it does not say if sex between minors under the age of consent is a crime or not in the various states.

Severus Snape

January 30th, 2011, 06:35 PM

"I am a white, christian male and I shall be forcing my religo-conservative values onto you by means of US law in flat out rejection of logic and rational thought" <---everything that is wron with the US legal system

Amnesiac

January 30th, 2011, 06:46 PM

I apologize. I may need to correct my statement. I looked up the laws in the state of Illinois on website and I am not sure and it is illegal to have sex under age 17 which is the age of consent. It might be the same in other states as well, but then some states might not even outlaw sex between minors. However, I know for one state (Pennsylvania) the age of consent is 13 when the older partner is no more than four years older and in all other cases the age of consent is 16. And in other states there are also close in age exceptions. I think the confusion I had was that age of consent is often referred to in the context of sex between people of different ages and it is rarely stated (in my own experience, at least) that people under the age of consent are not legally allowed to have sex.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#United_States

There is some info in the link, but it does not say if sex between minors under the age of consent is a crime or not in the various states.

I know the age of consent isn't uniform across the states, but I would assume that in most states (especially down here in the south) minors are prosecuted for having sex with each other. It's the product of America's socially conservative political base.

The former policeman who came to my school stated very clearly that having sex underage is illegal and considered statutory rape. Of course, that is complete bullshit, but it's also technically the law.

Dorsum Oppel

January 31st, 2011, 09:45 PM

Absolutely.

We as human beings should fear our emotions, shun pleasure, and live life in closets that protect us from the frightening mass of information that is the world. After all, what's so good about happiness, nature, and sex?

RAWWR

February 1st, 2011, 01:56 PM

Your body, your choice, as long as you are old enough to fully understand and consent, whats the problem?

Daniel_

February 1st, 2011, 10:50 PM

Your body, your choice, as long as you are old enough to fully understand and consent, whats the problem?

The problem is many think that your not old enough until your over 18, and thats why it is illegal. Well.. That, and the whole child porn thing.

RAWWR

February 2nd, 2011, 10:59 AM

The problem is many think that your not old enough until your over 18, and thats why it is illegal. Well.. That, and the whole child porn thing.

At the end of the day, if they think that, let them. The rules regarding things like that are stupid, e.g. porn, you can have sex at 16 in the UK, but you can't watch sex until you're 18-huh?
It's just stupid.

Camazotz

February 2nd, 2011, 07:00 PM

Yes. Distribution and owning of child pornography should be illegal. I don't care how grown-up children or teens feel they are, they should not be allowed to give naked pictures of children to others. It makes those involved easy targets to harassment, abuse, or other dangers.

canyon

February 6th, 2011, 01:15 PM

I personally don't believe it should be illegal for two minors to sext. It's not illegal for them to have sex(at least where I live), so why should it be illegal for them to send pictures of themselves to each other? And I understand why an adult having it on his possession should be illegal, and I do agree, however should it be illegal between two minors?

I have to disagree with you. Sexting produces underage pornographic pictures. If for some reason one of the kids that was sexting loses their phone or something like that and someone else gets hold of it, there could be big problems. Child pornography is illegal, even between two minors. Until you are 18, you are considered a minor, no matter how grown up you might think you are.