Teenage Folly or Child Abuse? State Responses to “Sexting” by Minors in the U.S. and Germany

Abstract

Abstract As the digital generation grows up, societies' norms are being challenged by changing views of what is acceptable communication. Young people live much of their lives online: texting and ‘sexting’ their thoughts and images to their intimates and strangers alike. These changes have challenged the legal structures committed to protecting society's youth. This paper explores the development of the law in the United States and Germany concerning sexualized text messages or ‘sexts’. It asks whether and under what conditions such communications are pornographic and represent a signal for prosecution or protection.