How should they be punished or even should they be punished?

Question

Ok so I’m in the middle of an assignment and I’m procrastinating but I also came across a slide on my cyber psychology module discussing cyber crime and sexting. Here’s the slide...

Now my question is should these teens be given this punishment? My reasoning for questioning it is, the reason they are being punished is for sending explicit pictures of a child (themselves) however are getting punished like an adult. 
Bonus questions...why are teens responsible enough for their actions and their decisions to be punished like an adult, however cannot make the decision to have control over their body like one? Do you think it’s fair treatment? If it were your teen, how would you like it to be handled by authorities? If you are a teen what are your thoughts?

Answer

Okay, so, in my opinion, if the photos were taken of the 16 year old not sent by herself/himself then yes. I believe they should face charges (not 5 years). But if they are just sexting then no they shouldn’t face jail. I do think there should be a mandatory class to show how dangerous sexting can be, the pressure surrounding it and what can happen if you get caught (I.e a 16 year old girl asking a 12 year old boy for nudes)

Answer

If two 16 year olds are sexting, they do not deserve 5 years in prison. Where im from that is not distributing child pornography. Under 16? Yes that would be considered inappropriate.

Answer

Hmm. Well the thing is do the 16 year old even know its a CRIME? I as a teen would have had no idea that was the case. Five years is very harsh for something two consenting people have shared between themselves. I'd say instead of punishing them by means of sending them to jail, rather EDUCATE them.

Answer

I dont see anything wrong with two 16 year olds consentually sharing photos. Its certainly icky to think about as an adult but there's nothing criminal about teenagers exploring their sexuality.
if one teenager shares the photo with other people then at that point it does become a criminal act

Answer

Not jail, but for a first offense, a mandatory class to talk about the dangers of it. If a second offense, community service. I don’t think it should be allowed, but they shouldn’t be punished like an adult if they’re a minor, especially not if they’re the ones sending it.

Answer

So my brother actually ran into this law in the US when he was 16. He was sexting with a 15 y/o. The police were somehow notified and came to our house to scare the crap out of my brother. I believe they also went to the girl’s house too. Having the cops pound on their doors and their phones taken away was enough to make them stop. 
I don’t think jail is necessary if both teens consented to having their photos taken and shared with each other. It’s a whole different story if either party was coerced into having the pictures sent.

Answer

Not if they’re taking them and sending them to each other. They’re just kids still. I think if one of them starts to pass the photos around they should be charged

Answer

I don’t think they should be punished. It’s between two ‘children’. If it was a 16 year old and an eighteen year old (or older) I could understand it.

Answer

A minor caught sending nudes should get grounded and their phone taken away for 6 months. 
No criminal charges.

Answer

Yes. Child pornography is child pornography, regardless of the age of who has it and even if it is of themselves. Don't do the crime if you're not willing to serve the punishment.

How should they be punished or even should they be punished?

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