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Kids Watching Porn

Skwim

Veteran Member
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Looking over an old OP I noticed I said: "(Don't know if it's against the law for a minor to view porn, but I don't think so.)"

c916ac76-ed21-40bc-9018-d3bafe675c79-2060x1236.jpeg

Just to be clear, this isn't about children participating in porn or exposing children to porn, but solely children watching porn. To put it in perspective, Sally can be prosecuted for killing her neighbor or deliberately setting his house on fire, but can she be prosecuted for watching porn?

A Google search turned up nothing. So, what do you think, is watching legal porn ever a crime?

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Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
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Looking over an old OP I noticed I said: "(Don't know if it's against the law for a minor to view porn, but I don't think so.)"

c916ac76-ed21-40bc-9018-d3bafe675c79-2060x1236.jpeg

Just to be clear, this isn't about children participating in porn or exposing children to porn, but solely children watching porn. To put it in perspective, Sally can be prosecuted for killing her neighbor or deliberately setting his house on fire, but can she be prosecuted for watching porn?

A Google search turned up nothing. So, what do you think, is watching legal porn ever a crime?

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.

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I think it is the purchase of porn that is illegal for children. Sort of like going to the liquor store, then hopefully are not going to sell a 12 year old a fifth of Jack Daniels, and hopefully the local purveyor of porn will do the same. With the internet it is very easy for underaged kids to access porn. I genuinely do not know who would be guilty if they did so. If the parents do not have appropriate filters that might be interpreted with as them providing porn for the kids and that may actually be legal.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
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Looking over an old OP I noticed I said: "(Don't know if it's against the law for a minor to view porn, but I don't think so.)"

c916ac76-ed21-40bc-9018-d3bafe675c79-2060x1236.jpeg

Just to be clear, this isn't about children participating in porn or exposing children to porn, but solely children watching porn. To put it in perspective, Sally can be prosecuted for killing her neighbor or deliberately setting his house on fire, but can she be prosecuted for watching porn?

A Google search turned up nothing. So, what do you think, is watching legal porn ever a crime?

.


.

.
No. But sharing with friemds of the same age is technically illegal in most jurisdictions. Though few would actually prosecute. However, there have been cases concerning production of child pornography. These had began cropping up years ago and the general sentiment was not to prosecute. But brings some interesting questions concerning our laws and psychological development in an age where everyone has a camera.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
I think it is the purchase of porn that is illegal for children. Sort of like going to the liquor store, then hopefully are not going to sell a 12 year old a fifth of Jack Daniels, and hopefully the local purveyor of porn will do the same. With the internet it is very easy for underaged kids to access porn. I genuinely do not know who would be guilty if they did so. If the parents do not have appropriate filters that might be interpreted with as them providing porn for the kids and that may actually be legal.
So if someone sold porn to a minor both parties would have committed a crime. Interesting.


No. But sharing with friemds of the same age is technically illegal in most jurisdictions. Though few would actually prosecute.
So it wouldn't be a crime for two kids to watch porn, they just can't share between themselves. Gotta say, I've never heard of this one.

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Curious George

Veteran Member
I think it is the purchase of porn that is illegal for children. Sort of like going to the liquor store, then hopefully are not going to sell a 12 year old a fifth of Jack Daniels, and hopefully the local purveyor of porn will do the same. With the internet it is very easy for underaged kids to access porn. I genuinely do not know who would be guilty if they did so. If the parents do not have appropriate filters that might be interpreted with as them providing porn for the kids and that may actually be legal.
That is not true either. It is the sale amd distribution, not the purchase. The kids are the ones being protected the sales clerk os the one that is subject to prosecution.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
A Google search turned up nothing. So, what do you think, is watching legal porn ever a crime?
It depends on the locality. Porn is used to draw kids into illegal activities, so if the kid does look at porn then the adult in charge of them can be accused of negligence which normally is a civil not a criminal charge but could be criminal. If the negligence is characterized as abuse by a prosecutor then the effect could be that children who look at porn might get their legal guardians into trouble.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
So if someone sold porn to a minor both parties would have committed a crime. Interesting.

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I am not sure about the minor. The purveyor, yes. The minor may be thought to be an "innocent victim", even if that does not appear to be the case.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
It depends on the locality. Porn is used to draw kids into illegal activities, so if the kid does look at porn then the adult in charge of them can be accused of negligence which normally is a civil not a criminal charge but could be criminal. If the negligence is characterized as abuse by a prosecutor then the effect could be that children who look at porn might get their legal guardians into trouble.
That is not a status offense though. The offense you are discussing is neglect or child endangerment.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
That is not true either. It is the sale amd distribution, not the purchase. The kids are the ones being protected the sales clerk os the one that is subject to prosecution.
I appear to have used the wrong term:


'pur·vey·or
Dictionary result for purveyor
/pərˈvāər/
noun
  1. a person who sells or deals in particular goods.
    "a purveyor of large luxury vehicles"
    synonyms: seller, vendor, trader, retailer, supplier, provider, stockist, tout, trafficker, pedlar, hawker
    "a local purveyor of gourmet sandwiches"
    • a person or group that spreads or promotes an idea, view, etc.
      "a purveyor of traditional Christian values"
Or maybe not. By that definition the clerk would be a "purveyor".
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
That is not true either. It is the sale amd distribution, not the purchase. The kids are the ones being protected the sales clerk os the one that is subject to prosecution.
I wonder if there is a difference between a sales clerk who sells porn and a movie theater attendant who lets someone in.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
I appear to have used the wrong term:


'pur·vey·or
Dictionary result for purveyor
/pərˈvāər/
noun
  1. a person who sells or deals in particular goods.
    "a purveyor of large luxury vehicles"
    synonyms: seller, vendor, trader, retailer, supplier, provider, stockist, tout, trafficker, pedlar, hawker
    "a local purveyor of gourmet sandwiches"
    • a person or group that spreads or promotes an idea, view, etc.
      "a purveyor of traditional Christian values"
Or maybe not. By that definition the clerk would be a "purveyor".
Sure purveyor is a better word choice. But it is still not the purchase but the sale or purveyance.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Sure purveyor is a better word choice. But it is still not the purchase but the sale or purveyance.
That was the word that I used and what I clearly meant. The selling of porn is what is illegal. The person responsible for the sale would be the person charged. Not the people that made it. Not (let's say this is the good old days) the man that delivered it to the store. The actual sales agent would be the one that broke the law.

But once again the internet makes things tricky.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
That was the word that I used and what I clearly meant. The selling of porn is what is illegal. The person responsible for the sale would be the person charged. Not the people that made it. Not (let's say this is the good old days) the man that delivered it to the store. The actual sales agent would be the one that broke the law.

But once again the internet makes things tricky.
The store itself through vicarious liability if an agent of the store made the sale.

But I see I was thrown off by your use of purchase and understand that you meant sale. Thank you for the clarification.
 

Curious George

Veteran Member
No i don't think so. I believe it is strict liability.
@Brickjectivity not sure if it was apparent but strict liability would relate to the kids getting in the theatre regardless of whether the ticket checkers or sales did there due diligence. In other words if kids snuck in the back or just passed through the entrance, one could say they were still "let in." So depending on the facts it might just be the business that is liable in such a situation.

But If you are running a peep show or just work there, do seek the advice of a local attorney regarding liability.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
@Brickjectivity not sure if it was apparent but strict liability would relate to the kids getting in the theatre regardless of whether the ticket checkers or sales did there due diligence. In other words if kids snuck in the back or just passed through the entrance, one could say they were still "let in." So depending on the facts it might just be the business that is liable in such a situation.

But If you are running a peep show or just work there, do seek the advice of a local attorney regarding liability.
Perhaps any R movie or PG-13 movie might fit the description.
 

Valjean

Veteran Member
Premium Member
It depends on the locality. Porn is used to draw kids into illegal activities, so if the kid does look at porn then the adult in charge of them can be accused of negligence which normally is a civil not a criminal charge but could be criminal. If the negligence is characterized as abuse by a prosecutor then the effect could be that children who look at porn might get their legal guardians into trouble.
Porn's used to draw kids into illegal activity? I didn't realize there was a conspiracy behind it. I thought it was just a money making scheme.
What illegal activities are we talking about? (he inquired lasciviously...)
No. Children are allowed to watch those movies with an adult. While there may be penalties for a theater to view those, different laws are involved.
Somehow I find the thought of kids watching porn with an adult more disturbing than their watching it alone.
Maybe it's just me...
 
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