The rise of smartphones and instant messaging apps has brought the ease of sharing pictures and videos with just a tap. While this technology fosters connectivity and instant sharing of memories, it has paved the way for dangerous practices, especially among young users.
Selfies, a popular form of self-expression, can have serious legal consequences when they involve explicit content, particularly of minors. This can include sexually explicit images of minors or explicit images being sent to or from minors.
Many teens and young adults may not realize the gravity of sharing or receiving explicit selfies from peers. They might perceive it as harmless flirting or a private matter, but the law doesn’t view it that way.
The line between selfies and child pornography
Explicit images or videos featuring minors, regardless of whether they were taken consensually or not, are classified as child pornography. Even if the person in the image shared it willingly, creating, sending or possessing such content is illegal.
Receiving or sending these images carries heavy penalties
Having explicit images of minors, even if you didn’t ask for them, can lead to criminal charges. Simply receiving such an image on your device can put you at risk. Furthermore, sending or forwarding these images further distributes child pornography, which is a criminal act.
What might seem like a harmless act can lead to life-altering legal consequences. It’s essential to be cautious about the risks associated with such actions. Anyone who’s facing criminal charges related to this issue should ensure they learn their defense options and take steps quickly to protect themselves.