Florida has established a specific, tiered legal framework for addressing sexting incidents involving minors, intentionally distinct from its severe child pornography statutes. Under Florida Statute § 847.0141, the state provides a system of penalties for minors who share explicit images that starts with non-criminal citations for first-time offenders. This “safe harbor” approach aims to educate … Read more
Unlike some states that have enacted specific “teen sexting” laws to protect minors from felony charges, Delaware takes a stricter approach. The state does not have a dedicated statute for sexting between minors. Instead, teens who share explicit images often face prosecution under the same serious statutes used for child pornography and sexual exploitation. While … Read more
Colorado takes a unique and progressive approach to teen sexting, distinct from many other states. Recognizing that labeling teenagers as sex offenders for consensual image sharing is counterproductive, the state enacted C.R.S. § 18-7-109. This statute creates a specific legal framework for minors, often treating “sexting” as a civil infraction or petty offense rather than … Read more
Connecticut takes a nuanced approach to sexting, distinguishing between typical teenage behavior and serious sexual exploitation. While the state has strict laws regarding child pornography and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images (revenge porn), it also provides specific statutes for minors to avoid the harsh lifetime consequences of felony charges. The primary laws governing these … Read more
Arkansas Sexting Laws 2026: Comprehensive Guide to Statutes & Penalties Arkansas Sexting Laws 2026: A Comprehensive Legal Guide Table of Contents Introduction to Arkansas Digital Sexual Crimes Child Pornography and Minor Sexting Statutes Revenge Porn: Nonconsensual Distribution Cyberbullying and Harassment via Electronic Means Criminal Penalties and Sentencing Guidelines Legal Defenses and Exceptions Interaction with Federal … Read more
Arizona law treats sexting involving minors differently depending on the age of the participants. While adults face severe felony charges for crimes involving child pornography, the state has specific statutes, such as A.R.S. 8-309, that handle teen sexting cases with more lenient penalties aimed at rehabilitation rather than registration. However, these laws are strict, and … Read more
Unlike some other states, Alabama has no specific statute designed to address “sexting” between minors. This legal gap creates a dangerous landscape for teenagers, as prosecutors often must rely on severe child pornography laws to address these incidents. Under Alabama Code § 13A-12-192, possessing or sharing explicit images of a minor—even a self-taken selfie shared … Read more
Unlike many states that have created specific “teen sexting” misdemeanors to shield minors from the harshest consequences of the law, federal law contains no such exception. Under the United States Code, what teenagers often consider “consensual sexting” is legally classified as the production, distribution, or possession of child pornography. The penalties are severe, often involving … Read more
California stands apart from many other states by not having a specific “teen sexting” statute. Instead, the state relies on general child pornography laws to prosecute sexting cases involving minors. This legal framework means that a teenager sending a nude selfie to a partner is technically committing the same statutory offense as an adult trafficking … Read more