14 Year Old Post Pictures of Herself Gets Charged With Child Porn

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by Lamar Tyler | on March 29th, 2009 | 9 comments

A few weeks back when we talked about kids sexting messages some of you were outraged that kids that were forwarding naked pics of other kids were receiving child porn charges from the authorities. Well this time it’s a 14 y/o that sent pictures of herself. Is this right or wrong?

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (9)

LaKeyshaF Monday - 30 / 03 / 2009 Reply

I don't think this is right. Generally speaking child porn charges are exacted on adults who prey on children. And we have very strict consequences for them. But a child is just that...a child, so its not the same level of inappropriate interactions of two seperate age groups. (It inappropriate actions of those of the same age group). Now perhaps if she was sending pixs of a child of a younger age group then there should be more harsh consequences. I just worry that if a 17 year old does this they can be charged as an adult in some cases and it is not fair to have a child carry such a loathsome and repulsive charge on their record for the rest of their lives. (Much like I think it unfair that an 18 yr old in high school can be charged with statutory rape with his/her 17 year old girl/boyfriend-not that they should be having sex ANYWAYS!). I think in this day and age we will definately have to create more laws to accomodate the possibilities that technology has created.
EnTLove Monday - 30 / 03 / 2009 Reply

The woman that had the final words stated, "...let's face it. These children are not going to be charged as sex offenders. These cases are being handled in juvenile court.". I have been a parent for 15yrs, and one of the MOST important things that I've learned is to not put something up for punishment that I am not willing to follow through with. If they are being charged as sex offenders that should actually be a reality. I think that charge is being taken out of context, because it really was for child predators.
ewok Monday - 30 / 03 / 2009 Reply

She is NOT a sex offender! She is a fast little girl that needs swift punishment from her parents and they must not waste time.
DJ Ed Nice Monday - 30 / 03 / 2009 Reply

@ ewok "She is NOT a sex offender!" AGREED!!! DJ Ed Nices last blog post..Happy Birthday DJ Ed-Nice
MissJay Monday - 30 / 03 / 2009 Reply

I believe she should be held responsible. Not to the degree if calling her a sexual preditor/sex offender. Something needs to be put into place to at least hold the parents responsible. Just not to that extreme.
Andrea Arthur Tuesday - 31 / 03 / 2009 Reply

I took an internet safety course taught my the head of cyber crime for the state police. If she had forwarded those pics to someone over the age 18 they recipient could be charged with being in possession of child pornographers. Which, being a teen she probably did. Kids just don't get it and neither do adults. Is it fair she should be charged--fair, yes, reasonable--no.
Andrea Arthur Tuesday - 31 / 03 / 2009 Reply

Forgive the spelling errors. Was typing without my glasses.
Anna Saturday - 04 / 04 / 2009 Reply

If you are a person under the age of 18 and stupid enough to do this how can it be child porn? She sent a pic of herself. It's those who chose to foward it that fall into the catagory of sending child porn. Also how do we hold a parent responsible for our kids sending nude pics of themselves? Do we fine them or charge them for not being smart enough to have a block on the kids phone. Some kids have jobs and do find a way to buy their own phones(they get someone to put it in their name but pay the bill). I think in this case this girl should feel humilated enough that a nude pic of her will forever be in cyper space and she has learned her lesson.
TrinityzMom Thursday - 30 / 09 / 2010 Reply

Many interesting comments have been made on this topic but here is the reality. This “child” committed an act that under all other circumstances constitutes child pornography. If she distributed the picture it’s trafficking and is a violation of the law. I understand that everyone wants to concentrate on her age but much consideration also needs to be given to the ACT. If these children spent more time learning about the consequences of these acts and what the LAW says about them then maybe that would deter some of these behaviors. I work in a human services agency and I can’t tell you how many time I hear adults trying to excuse or diminish the behavior of a child in the name of their age. When children perform adult acts there should be a consequence or how else will they learn. Should that consequence be equivalent to an adult charge, no. But trust me, the reason laws are created is because there is a need. These children are creating a reason to make a laws concerning this issue, yet none of them are going to like the consequences and it sounds like the adults aren’t going to be too happy either. Are we becoming so tolerate as a society that we are more enraged about her punishment than we are about the fact that she did this and that children are doing this more and more. Stay tuned folks if we don’t set a standard and start holding these children accountable for their actions there will be consequences for us to pay sooner than we think.