Is this normal/legal?

So I’m 16 right now but I’m nervous that a year ago I wanted to see pictures of hot people my own age instead of people in their 20s, so I may have searched something like ‘15 year old sexy’ on google images. Is this normal, and, furthermore, is it legal (child pornography laws)? I’m really anxious about this and would be really relieved to have any response on this.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

OP

Btw the only thing that comes up is girls in bikinis and stuff, who could be 18+; but is this an awful thing to have done?

Reply 2

JSM1

20

It has been a year.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

I’m not sure though. It might’ve been more recent, eg 5 months ago.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Tbh it may have been less than a year; it could have been 5 months ago. I feel awful.

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Yes it's illegal but keep quiet and forget what happened. you were also a minor, and it's natural for kids to explore. so just forget what you did and don't mention it, stop feeling awful

Reply 6

Kindred

20

Original post by Anonymous

So I’m 16 right now but I’m nervous that a year ago I wanted to see pictures of hot people my own age instead of people in their 20s, so I may have searched something like ‘15 year old sexy’ on google images. Is this normal, and, furthermore, is it legal (child pornography laws)? I’m really anxious about this and would be really relieved to have any response on this.

It is normal for somebody to want to see pictures of people their age. Any form of child pornography or sexual images of a minor are illegal though.
In your case, given your age at the time, you didn't really do much wrong. It's the people taking and putting up images like that who are really in the wrong. Still illegal and not something you should do, but understandable given your age and not something the FBI are going to come breaking your door down for.
It's fine. Just move on and don't worry about it.

Reply 7

sdafasd

3

Original post by Kindred

It is normal for somebody to want to see pictures of people their age. Any form of child pornography or sexual images of a minor are illegal though.
In your case, given your age at the time, you didn't really do much wrong. It's the people taking and putting up images like that who are really in the wrong. Still illegal and not something you should do, but understandable given your age and not something the FBI are going to come breaking your door down for.
It's fine. Just move on and don't worry about it.

you seem to know a lot about child pornography :colonhash:

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Kindred

It is normal for somebody to want to see pictures of people their age. Any form of child pornography or sexual images of a minor are illegal though.
In your case, given your age at the time, you didn't really do much wrong. It's the people taking and putting up images like that who are really in the wrong. Still illegal and not something you should do, but understandable given your age and not something the FBI are going to come breaking your door down for.
It's fine. Just move on and don't worry about it.

Are you sure that this is normal? I’ve been worrying about this for 5 months, and it’s been ruining my life (i have ocd) and feel really guilty about it.

Reply 9

MongoDB

18

I think you need more important things to worry about.

Reply 10

londonmyst

19

Its legal for you to google "sexy images".
There is nothing wrong with looking at people your own age in online photos, face to face in the street or at the beach.
There is a difference between sexy pics of teenagers in swimwear and pornography.

Sexy photos and selfies are legal.
Adult pornography is legal for adults to buy and watch.
Child pornography is illegal because it is photographs and videos of underage children being abused by adults.

You're still under 18 and don't have the same legal status as an adult. The law on child pornography exists to protect children under the age of 14 from being sexually abused or exploited by adults.

Original post by Anonymous

So I’m 16 right now but I’m nervous that a year ago I wanted to see pictures of hot people my own age instead of people in their 20s, so I may have searched something like ‘15 year old sexy’ on google images. Is this normal, and, furthermore, is it legal (child pornography laws)? I’m really anxious about this and would be really relieved to have any response on this.

Reply 11

ZuluK

17

The Feds are circulating your house right now. Every phone call, every message, every key stroke is being monitored! They’re just waiting for you to slip up so they can swoop in and arrest you.

Spoiler

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by londonmyst

Its legal for you to google "sexy images".
There is nothing wrong with looking at people your own age in online photos, face to face in the street or at the beach.
There is a difference between sexy pics of teenagers in swimwear and pornography.

Sexy photos and selfies are legal.
Adult pornography is legal for adults to buy and watch.
Child pornography is illegal because it is photographs and videos of underage children being abused by adults.

You're still under 18 and don't have the same legal status as an adult. The law on child pornography exists to protect children under the age of 14 from being sexually abused or exploited by adults.

But the law says that ‘erotic posing’ is illegal. Are sexy photos of teenagers, eg in bikinis, not erotic posing?

Reply 13

londonmyst

19

Swimwear photos are not pornography.
Many catalogue companies have teenage models photographed wearing swimsuits, sportswear and school uniforms.

I wasn't erotic posing in my bikini or swimsuit with an ice cream in my hand.
Nor on my way to school wearing my miniskirt, blazer and school shirt. I had plenty of people my age asking if they could take my photo or have a photo with me.
Not a crime, just a normal part of life.
No idea why you are so concerned.

Original post by Anonymous

But the law says that ‘erotic posing’ is illegal. Are sexy photos of teenagers, eg in bikinis, not erotic posing?

Reply 14

Anonymous #3

Original post by Anonymous

Tbh it may have been less than a year; it could have been 5 months ago. I feel awful.

Don’t worry babe we’ve all done something like that. Itt not illegal and even if it was they wouldn’t know it was an ‘underage’ girl googling it. Dw x

Reply 15

Kindred

20

Original post by Anonymous

Are you sure that this is normal? I’ve been worrying about this for 5 months, and it’s been ruining my life (i have ocd) and feel really guilty about it.