Child Pornography Laws in Pennsylvania? A Complete Guide 2024

Everyone has a different perspective and thought process when it comes to pornography. You can’t expect everyone to accept everything, each person has their likes and dislikes.

Similarly, pornography is accepted by many and disliked by others. There isn’t anything like since it contains sexual content you have to go against it because there are people who are doing it as a profession so going against it and talking unwantedly about porn is more like disrespecting the people in it.

Also, there are cases when people are doing these activities because they have no other option left but unless they’re doing it with consent it is not a problem.

Different countries have different laws and rules for pornography. Some countries accept porn and only impose some laws to be followed before sharing explicit content, some other countries are totally against porn and they have banned it in their country as they think it is exploitation of sex.

And one thing that is commonly banned in all places is child pornography. Because no one would accept the fact that a minor is being involved in sexually explicit content that is meant to provoke sexual feelings in a person.

And apart from all this, I don’t understand the fact that how people are even able to watch this, I would say that people viewing or even showing a slight interest in such content should be ashamed of themselves.

And I don’t even have words to say about the ones who produce or distribute such content I would just say that people have lost their minds for involving a minor and these activities. Now let’s take a look into the pornography Laws in Pennsylvania.

Child Pornography Laws

You should have a clear understanding of the pornography Laws in Pennsylvania because even the slightest of carelessness will land you in trouble.

One main thing is that it is illegal to share sexually explicit content in Pennsylvania. Many people are facing problems because of simple mistakes involving pornography.

In most cases, they don’t even know that they have porn on their device. Many people were charged with such offenses without even realizing they were committing a crime.

Sharing an explicit image without consent is punishable, sending someone’s explicit image to others without them knowing can get you in trouble.

All the peer or peer-sharing services are continuously been monitored by the police to track down a crime.

People who are accused of porn offenses are mostly the ones who downloaded the wrong link or who didn’t know that a child was involved in the porn. Also, it is very much punishable if you distribute porn to a minor.

Child Pornography law : 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312(d), Sexual abuse of children

Even though the distribution of porn is illegal in Pennsylvania what’s more serious is child pornography. There are lots of laws which protect the safety of children. Any sexually explicit content which involves a child comes under child pornography and the person who produces it or possesses it will be punished.

In some countries like California, it is punishable only when it involves a real person, and no problem in the case of sketches or drawings. But in Pennsylvania, the law prohibits both real and simulated content.

In Pennsylvania, having child pornography is a serious crime. It falls under the “Sexual abuse of children” section (Section 6312) in the state’s Crimes Code. Simply put, according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312(d), it is against the law for anyone to intentionally look at or knowingly have or show any pictures showing a child under 18 involved in a “prohibited sexual act” or pretending to do so.

A person who voluntarily views child porn is going to face its consequences. A person involved in filming, photographing, or videotaping child pornography will get up to 10 years imprisonment.

And for viewing or possessing child porn the punishment will depend on whether that person has been convicted for the same crime before. If it’s the first time then it will be up to 5 years in jail and if it is done again you can have up to 10 years in jail.

And also if you are convicted of sexually abusing a child on porn multiple times then your name will be registered with the State Board to Assess Sexually violent predators. And also before a person gets convicted there should be proper evidence to convict that person of a child pornography crime.

The main thing in the pornography Laws of Pennsylvania is that no child is involved in such activity and also if a child is involved you shouldn’t view it however for unknowingly viewing such content you will get exceptions.

Apart from child pornography, it is the distribution of porn videos to others which is punishable. And this comes under revenge porn because revenge porn is when someone releases sexually explicit content to others without their consent and it typically means sharing and distributing which is punishable.

If you are wondering how the police come to know about such distribution is that in the case of revenge porn, the victim can raise a complaint and the police will track you down.

Or otherwise, if you are sharing it in a peer-to-peer connection then police are always tracking such activities. So what to do is to kind your own business without landing in any kind of trouble.

You won’t be able to lead a normal life if you are convicted of such crimes. You won’t get a job and no one will ever want to keep a personal relationship with you.

So even after your jail time and punishment, you will have to go through a vulnerable time in the outside world as well. There are some exceptions as well like if you have material that is determined to have a credible purpose then you will not be charged under child pornography.

Also if a minor is involved in photographing or videotaping himself or someone else who is a minor will be exempted.

Watching porn is not a bad thing but when a child is being involved in it then it’s a crime. I don’t know how people are even able to produce something brutal towards a child. It’s better to avoid children in sexually explicit content otherwise you will have to face the consequences.

Read More >> Pornography Laws In California 2024 >>

Conclusion

In Pennsylvania, child pornography is a serious offense, encompassing both real and simulated content. Those involved in its production or possession face severe penalties, including imprisonment. Viewing or possessing child pornography comes with varying jail terms, depending on previous convictions.

Revenge porn, distributing explicit content without consent, is also punishable. The consequences of involvement in such crimes are significant, impacting employment and personal relationships, even after serving jail time.

Exceptions exist, but it’s crucial to avoid explicit content involving children to avoid legal repercussions.

FAQ

Q. Is it illegal to send unsolicited pictures in Pennsylvania?

It’s easy to snap photos or record videos with our phones and quickly share them through texts, emails, or on social media like Instagram and Facebook. However, sending intimate pictures without the person’s permission is against the law.

What is the crime code 6321 in PA?

1. Knowingly transmits, distributes, publishes, or disseminates an electronic communication containing a sexually explicit image of himself.
2. Knowingly possesses or knowingly views a sexually explicit image of a minor who is 12 years of age or older. (b) Misdemeanor of the third degree.

Q. What is the penalty for sexting in PA?

Penalties for teenagers convicted of sexting: up to 90 days in jail and a maximum fine of $300. Sharing a “sext” of another teenager: a misdemeanor, up to one year in jail, and a maximum $2,500 fine. Using sexting as a sexual harassment tool: two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.