Underage Cyber-Sex

[Guest]

Many years ago a friend of mine may have considered having cybersex with an underage person. Would this have been illegal? What if he didn't know she was underage? Would he have the legal burden to prove such ignorance? Would there have been any way for him to get in trouble due to the content of emails or phone conversations?
I have heard stories of great inflexibility from the legal system regarding somewhat similar matters. One guy I heard of was engaged to his 17yr old girlfriend, took some pictures of her (her idea) and the state went and prosecuted him for child pornography (last I heard he was in friggin' jail).

A real legal opinion would be appreciated. No discussion of morality, please.

 

[koalabear]

It violates federal child porn law.......period.

 

[Guest]

Really?

Well, that's a nice, clear, concise answer. Does anyone care to second the notion? It's a bit hard for me to believe that someone could get in trouble for that when they didn't even know the other person was underage. It must happen all the time. Not that the law always makes sense..

 

[morninggirl5]

It happens quite often. It also happens quite often that the "teenager" on the other end is a police officer.

Contact of any kind of a sexual nature with an underage person is against the law.

 

[Phoenyx]

Talking online could be one thing. meeting in person to act out what you want is another.

By cybering you havent done anyting physical or pictoral. just typed online.
If thats all you did then it might be hard to make a case solely based on that.

 

[Mensa]

But it's a "World Wide" web

What constitutes underage in one jurisdiction doesn't necessarily apply in another.

On Lit, for example, the age must be at least eighteen because that is the law in California. What if both parties engaging in this exercise come from places where the age limit is different?

Would their home location laws apply or Lit's because that is where they used the Board to communicate?

Interesting and timely question.

 

[Mistress]

I had cyber sex with someone before I knew their age, it happens alot to people. It made me more cautious, though I have to admit I continued the affair. He was 17.....I was 22, I loved him and I miss him dearly. His mother however had no problem with us dating so I assume she didn't mind cyber sex either. It is still illegal, if caught you can get into lots of trouble.

 

[Phoenyx]

Re: But it's a "World Wide" web

Another problem if its just cybering is; what if you live with someone else (roomate,GF,BF) how do they prove it was you on the keyboard at the time?

 

[EthiopianPrince]

In practice, people have been arrested when the plan to meet someone around 14 in a motel for sex that they met over the internet, when the 14 year old is actually a cop who is pretending to be a minor.

The scenario of consensually taking pictures of a 17 yr old fiance and getting convicted for child pornography sounds far-fetched.

 

[Guest]

Far-fetched?

Well, it may sound far-fetched, but I saw it on 60 Minutes.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

The scenario of consensually taking pictures of a 17 yr old fiance and getting convicted for child pornography sounds far-fetched.

It may sound far-fetched, but there are some real prudes out there who, if they could, outlaw all kinds of adult consensual behavior (including anything and everything that happens on this site), and there are ambitious power hungry law enforcement personnel who are all too happy to cater to these people's paranoia.

So, never underestimate stupidity and/or the ability of some people to enact stupid and restrictive laws, then put people into jail with them. After all, over half the 1 million people in prison are there due to a realtively minor infraction of some drug law, and the government confiscates over 10 Billion dollars every year with In Rem Civil Forfeiture laws (they just confiscate the property without legal proceedings, and you have to go to court to get it back).

Sound far-fetched? Look it up.

 

[koalabear]

It is considered a form of child porn. If you like kiddie porn, your fucked up in the head any way and no law will stop you.

 

[Mensa]

Not everywhere

It is considered a form of child porn. If you like kiddie porn, your fucked up in the head any way and no law will stop you.

One jurisdiction's underage is another's age of consent. Did you consider yourself too young when you were seventeen? In some places, you were. In others you were well past the age of consent.

 

[Vanyel_Ashke]

Many years ago a friend of mine may have considered having cybersex with an underage person. Would this have been illegal? What if he didn't know she was underage? Would he have the legal burden to prove such ignorance? Would there have been any way for him to get in trouble due to the content of emails or phone conversations?
I have heard stories of great inflexibility from the legal system regarding somewhat similar matters. One guy I heard of was engaged to his 17yr old girlfriend, took some pictures of her (her idea) and the state went and prosecuted him for child pornography (last I heard he was in friggin' jail).

A real legal opinion would be appreciated. No discussion of morality, please.

Sorry, but it IS a discussion of morality as far as I can see. ANY discussion of sex with a minor other than coming from the parent of said child is wrong. (well, maybe in some cases, like a teenager asking a adult friend questions about sex and so forth it is different) If you are found in a compromising situation with an under age person and you say you did not know they were not of a legal age of consent, John Law will tell you that ignorance is not a legit defense.

Children are our hope for any beautiful future. And to have that hope perverted in this form is wrong. There is plenty of time in life for people to discover the pleasure of sex. I think our children need to be warned and protected as best as we can until they are mature enough to discover for themselves the wonderful world of sex. And no, I don't think that 18 is some magical age where suddenly all of life makes sense. Sometimes even 21 is not age enough. Havens, I am 36 and I don't even have an idea about what life is all about. And there are times I don't make mature decisions.

But the law says 18. And the law is what matters. If pretty young things are what turns you on, find a legal age person who LOOKS younger.

So I am judgemental in this area. Children should be taboo. And in my perfect world it would be so. All I can say is ANYONE touches or talks to my baby daughter in any way that could be considered not appropriate can not find a shit hole deep enough to hide in. You want to fuck your dog or horse in the privacy of your home, or your legal age family member, that is your option. But children should be treasured and their protection is the responsibility of all.

~Puts on flame protective shields~

Have at me. I will not change my opinion on this.

 

[Mistress]

So am I bad then?

 

[Mensa]

Re: Re: Underage Cyber-Sex

But the law says 18. And the law is what matters.

See the problem? The law where? Not everywhere.

There is a difference between "underage" and "children"
Underage changes but sex with children is and always must remain hideously wrong.

The age of consent changes in different regions and countries.

 

[Phoenyx]

So am I bad then?

NO BUT HANG AROUND ME LONG ENOUGH AND YOU WILL BE..

 

[Vanyel_Ashke]

Re: Re: Re: Underage Cyber-Sex

See the problem? The law where? Not everywhere.

There is a difference between "underage" and "children"
Underage changes but sex with children is and always must remain hideously wrong.

The age of consent changes in different regions and countries.

Thanks Mensa. That is what my long-winded rant was basically about at heart.

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: But it's a "World Wide" web

What constitutes underage in one jurisdiction doesn't necessarily apply in another.

On Lit, for example, the age must be at least eighteen because that is the law in California. What if both parties engaging in this exercise come from places where the age limit is different?

Would their home location laws apply or Lit's because that is where they used the Board to communicate?

Interesting and timely question.

Damned good point. Here in New Zealand the legal age of consent is 16. Could someone sitting at their computer in the USA, be charged for cybering with a 16 yr old here in NZ...

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Re: Re: But it's a "World Wide" web

Damned good point. Here in New Zealand the legal age of consent is 16. Could someone sitting at their computer in the USA, be charged for cybering with a 16 yr old here in NZ...

I am not sure, but I know that a US citizen can be charged with statutory rape for going to a foreign country to have sex with a minor under the age of consent here in the US. There are people in prison for going to Asia to have with 12 year olds.

 

[koalabear]

So am I bad then?

Very!.....Bob needs a spanking.......

 

[kiwiwolf]

Re: Re: Re: But it's a "World Wide" web

I am not sure, but I know that a US citizen can be charged with statutory rape for going to a foreign country to have sex with a minor under the age of consent here in the US. There are people in prison for going to Asia to have with 12 year olds.

I can understand jailing people who go for 12 year olds... personally I think jail is too damned good for them. But the cross jurisdictional issues are really awkward for the age of consent.

New Zealand is pretty screwed up when it comes to this sort of thing. Here you can legally have sex from the age of 16. However you still can't view magazines or videos with sexual content until you are 18.

 

[Mistress]

Very!.....Bob needs a spanking.......

LOL! Bob said to call

 

[Siren]

Unregistered

 

[Guru]