Rhode Island distinguishes between teenagers who share explicit images with peers and serious predators who exploit children. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 11-9-1.4, minors who engage in sexting are typically treated as status offenders within the Family Court system rather than criminal defendants. This approach aims to provide rehabilitation and education instead of a … Read more
Pennsylvania law distinguishes between standard child pornography offenses and “sexting” incidents involving minors. The state has enacted specific legislation, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6321, to provide a graduated system of penalties for teens who share explicit images. This approach aims to prevent minors from being branded as sex offenders for what is often considered impulsive adolescent … Read more
Oregon Sexting Laws: 2026 Comprehensive Guide Oregon Sexting Laws: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026 Last Updated: February 1, 2026 Navigating the legal landscape of digital communication in Oregon requires a clear understanding of current statutes. As technology evolves, so do the laws governing how intimate images are shared, stored, and disseminated. In Oregon, “sexting” is … Read more
Oklahoma takes a unique approach to sexting laws by distinguishing between juvenile mistakes and serious criminal conduct. While the state has severe felony statutes for child pornography under Title 21, it also provides specific provisions in the Juvenile Code (Title 10A) to handle teen sexting cases more leniently. This dual system aims to prevent teenagers … Read more
Unlike some states that have created specific misdemeanor offenses for teen sexting to mitigate the harshness of the legal system, Ohio does not have a dedicated “teen sexting” statute. Instead, prosecutors often rely on existing felony laws regarding the illegal use of minors in nudity-oriented material or pandering obscenity. This legal framework means that even … Read more
North Dakota has specific statutes addressing the transmission of explicit images, providing a legal framework that distinguishes between teen sexting and the more severe crime of child pornography. Under North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-27.1-03.3, the state addresses the electronic transmission of visual material depicting a minor. This law allows prosecutors to charge minors with … Read more
North Carolina Sexting Laws (2026): A Comprehensive Guide North Carolina takes a strict approach to sexting, particularly when minors are involved. Unlike some states that have created specific “teen sexting” misdemeanors to separate adolescent mistakes from serious crimes, North Carolina does not have a dedicated statute for sexting between minors. Instead, prosecutors often rely on … Read more
New York takes a strict approach to sexting, classifying most offenses involving minors under serious felony child pornography statutes. Unlike some states with specific misdemeanor “teen sexting” laws, New York primarily relies on judicial diversion programs to handle minor-to-minor cases, rather than a separate lower-level criminal statute. Under Penal Law § 60.37, courts have the … Read more
Unlike many other states, New Mexico does not have a specific “teen sexting” statute. This creates a uniquely dangerous legal landscape for minors. In New Mexico, teenagers who share explicit images of themselves or peers can theoretically be charged under the same felony child exploitation laws that apply to adult predators. While prosecutors often use … Read more
New Jersey approaches sexting involving minors differently than many other states. Rather than simply reducing penalties, New Jersey established a specific diversionary program under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-71.1. This law allows minors to attend an educational course instead of facing prosecution for child pornography. However, if a minor fails to complete the program or is not eligible, … Read more