Sex on the Internet


Sex on the Internet
by Sue Basko

How to Learn About Sex:   There are some good sites online that explain about healthy sex.  This is one of them:  http://kidshealth.org/teen/   It is not a good idea to try to learn about sex by looking at pornography or by visiting sex chat sites meant for adults.  You can also learn about sex by asking your parents or teachers or by reading library books about it.  You can ask a librarian or a bookstore clerk for a good young adult book to help you learn about sex.   

Pornography: On the internet, there are many websites that show pictures or videos of sex that are meant for adults. If you are under age 18, it is illegal for you to go on those sites.  Some of those sites are illegal even for adults, if they show certain kinds of pictures or videos that are considered obscenity.

Obscenity: Making or posting obscenity is illegal.  Any sexy photo or video that shows anyone under age 18 is obscenity.  That is called Child pornography.  Many other things are also obscenity.  Any sort of sex picture or video that is meant to shock or disgust the viewer is probably obscenity.

  It is illegal to show obscenity to anyone under age 18 or to leave it where they might see it.  On the internet, it is illegal to post any obscene picture or video any place that anyone under age 18 might see it.  That means any obscene picture or video can only be posted behind a screen that warns the viewers and requires the user to be age over age 18 to see it.  It is illegal to trick anyone into viewing obscenity by posting a link to it and not making clear what the link is to.

If you are under 18 and someone is showing you pornography or obscenity, or leaving it where you can find it,  or putting it on an open website, you should report this to a teacher, police, or to the FBI.  

Child Pornography: Websites are also illegal if they show Child Pornography.  Child pornography means any kind of pictures or videos that show anyone under age 18 in a sexual way.  Child pornography is illegal most places in the world and is considered a very serious crime.  The children who are shown in the pictures or videos are victims of the people who are creating the child pornography.  If someone is having you or one of your friends be in pictures or videos like this, you should tell the police or your school principal.  You can also report it to the FBI online at https://tips.fbi.gov/  You will need to tell your name and where you can be contacted or your address.

Selfies:  If you are under 18, it is illegal to take naked or sexy pictures of yourself.  It is also illegal to send such pictures in a text or on the internet.  If someone is trying to get you to do this, refuse and report them.

Pictures and Videos:  It is illegal to take naked or sexy pictures of anyone who is under 18.  This is true even if you yourself are under 18.  It is true even if the person wants you to take the picture or video.  Just say no and don't do it.

Revenge Porn:  It is illegal to post a sexy or naked photo of any person, even if they are over age 18,  unless they have given you written permission.  If you get mad at someone, you cannot post photos of them to get back at them.

Creating Porn in Photoshop: It is illegal to create pornography against a person using photoshop.  It is illegal to take someone's photo and add things to it to make it a sex picture.

Pedophiles:  On the internet, people will often mention Pedophiles or Paedophiles.  Pedophiles are people who are attracted in a sexual way to babies, children, or anyone under age 18.   For example, a teenager who is not attracted to people their own age, but instead to smaller kids, might be a pedophile. An adult who is attracted to babies, children or teens is a pedophile.  Pedophiles are often interested in Child Pornography, that is, sexy or naked photos of children.  Pedophiles often try to touch or have sex acts with children they are in contact with through family, neighbors, or jobs.  For example, some pedophiles try to get jobs as teachers, camp counselors, coaches, or try to marry someone who already has children.  Pedophiles usually pose the sex acts as being part of a game, as fun, as a special secret with the child, or as an act of love or a special favor.

On the internet, pedophiles sometimes try to get children or teens to chat with them or to undress for them.  They sometimes try to get preteens or teens to travel to meet them, or to run away with them. Sometimes a person on the internet will say that if a child or teen does not do as they say, they will do something worse to them or to their family.

IF SOMEONE is doing any of these things to you, you should report it so it can be stopped.  You may need to report it to a few people before someone will really listen and take action.  A school principal is required by law to take action and report to police.  So is a doctor.

Webcams:  A webcam is the camera built into your computer.  Always keep this covered when you are not using it.  People have been known to send viruses through email or other ways and then to control other peoples' webcams.  Also, every now and then, scan your computer for viruses.

It is illegal to control someone else's webcam.  It might seem like it would be fun to spy on other people, but it is illegal.

Sexting: Sexting is when people send a sexy photo or message by text on their phone.  Taking or sending sexy or naked photos of yourself, if you are under 18, is illegal.   Taking or sending sexy or naked photos of anyone who is under 18 is illegal.  Sending sexy photos or messages to anyone who is under 18 is illegal.  Sending sexy or naked photos of anyone, any age, without their permission, is illegal.  Sending sexy or naked photos to anyone over age 18 who has not given you permission to do that is illegal.  Sending or posting any photo or video that is obscene is always illegal.