Since when is there something wrong with sexual parts of the body? If you are a child old enough to see and realise what two dogs are doing having sex in the street then you cannot legislate against seeing humans doing the same. I thought these kids were taught sex in schools at 5 years old nowadays

j bentley, Brighton, UK

Does anyone remember playing doctors and nurses, or show and tell as children? Technology has enabled this practice mobile, and what unsues is children being convicted as porn peddalers. This seems heavy-handed and smacks of right-wing religious groups. Educate, don't incriminate!

Uan, Derby, England

It's a shame more people don't have the courage to get some help for their sexual fears and issues. Instead, we institutionalize them by simply passing them on to the next generation, who in turn will support this kind of sickness.

How sad.

mcl, California, us

It's a shame more people don't have the courage to get some help for their sexual fears and issues. Instead, we institutionalize them by simply passing them on to the next generation, who in turn will support this kind of sickness.

How sad.

mcl, California, us

I agree that back in the '60s we probably would have done this. That doesn't mean its right. Just another example of technology and entertainment dimming our morals as a country. Also, I love all the people on here saying, "Let them do it, who cares." If it was their daughter, it would be different.

Philip, Camp Lejeune, US

God bless America!
You cant look at a (voluntary) picture of a 17yr old`s breasts, but you can get a licence to own a gun from the age of 2.
By prosecuting teens for being curious about their sexuality, you undermine the real fight against "child" pornography.
What next? Bathe in the dark?

RJ, England,

I don't understand what the big deal is - this has been going on forever, and if people had had mobile phones in the 60s, it would have started then. It's absolutely hilarious how touchy some people are, especially those who attempt to legislate morality.

Who cares? Let them do it...

Eric, California, USA

we didnt have cels when we were 14, but im quite sure we would have done the same thing. ahh, america and our "legislating" morality...

bob searcy, indiana, usa

Stupid as as stupid does. And the US authorities are certainly pretty dumb.
Clearly they have not thought through the impact of their (adult) actions on impressionable young minds.
God bless America.
By the way that last sentence is sarcastic (for US readers)

Dave, Wellingborough, England

We simply have to remember that America still lives in the Victorian ages ... as far as sex and alcohol and the such ...

Richard S, Stamford, UK

There are multiple problems here. One is that these kids sending nude photos have absolutely no control over the image once it is passed along. They may very well be contributing to child pornography inadvertantly.

The penalties may seem severe, but these kids have no idea the implications

Donna, Monroe, NY, USA

I agree with Roberta in Canada. The authorities reaction is way out of line. They need to protect children/teens from child predators, not from each other. Confiscating the phones isn't the solution. Neither is a conviction. Educate these kids on just where those pictures may turn up in the future!!

Rick, Madison AL, USA

There's no harm in what kids are doing. If they're humiliated then they just won't do it again. If they're under 16 then they need a talking to if they're looking at someone younger by more than a couple of years. Where is the common sense in this world? Not with the authorities that's for sure.

R Wilson, Salisbury, UK

The reaction by authorities in these cases is way out of line. These laws were intended to protect children/teens from child predators, not from each other. These kids need a lesson in the differences between right and wrong. A little morality wouldn't hurt either.

Roberta, Calgary, Canada

Only concerns I have is the bullying and embarrassment, in regards to the law that is the government that is ruining their futures, as children we always wonder about sex and nudity. Technology is now evolving with childrens curiousity, to punish them is ridiculous, education is the key here...

Adam Webb, MK, UK

This is disgusting. I think the word moral has lost it's relevance in today' world. it is really a pity that someone could see something good to such a decaying society.now the big question: What will these teens do in the future if all they can think of now is this?

tosan, Lagos, Nigeria

I'll tell you who has low self-esteem: The girl who thinks she has to sent a picture of herself naked to someone in order to get a date! A line of self-respect needs to be drawn.

Lisa, Campbell's Bay,

They are not children they are teenagers. Sexuality is a crucial part of human life and should be embraced not shoved in a closet. So what if they get spread round the internet, teens nowadays have incredibly low self-esteem, so people enjoying their pics gives them a much needed boost of self worth

Enki, New Zealand,

Stunned, STUNNED by most of the comments here. I pray that none of you are parents. You think this is OK? You can't see the problem? Children photographing themselves naked? This isn't some naturist motivation, this is sexual. Does nobody today understand respect and limits any more?

James, London, United Kingdom

Jimmy and others: yes, a third party can be involved. It's not just a matter of students sharing pictures around school. When the pictures get posted on somebody's website, every creep and stalker out there has access to it; and yes, it can be distributed by adults as child pornography.

Eva, Wisconsin,

This is crazy how can you ever expect children to have respect for the law

Thank goodness it does not happen in the UK and if it did any jury would throw the case out of court before it started

emma, london, uk

I can't tell you how thoroughly I enjoyed seeing this nonsense roundly ridiculed and berated by Europeans. I have got to get the hell out of this country.

Sean, Syracuse, USA

Nothing is as pervasive in American culture as its simultaneous fear of and fascination with sexuality - add childhood into the mix, and you have a heady brew of guilty fascination and moral repulsion, leading to tediously predictable projection and over-compesation on the part of the authorities...

Jack, NORTHAMPTON, uk

Arresting teens may seem over the top, but teens grown enough to take nude pictures exploiting themselves is a problem that will only manifest itself into deeper perversion if NO actions are taken. A statement has to be made that this is wrong, and if it's arresting them, so be it!!

G.P., Snellville, GA, USA

It is ludicrous to be arrested for receiving a image when one has no control over being the passive recipient of such materiel.
Steve Mason, Devon, England

Receiving isn't the crime. Keeping it is. No control? It's called the delete button.

Karen H., London, UK

Who are the victims of these crimes? Who is the law protecting here? How are young people protected by being criminalised?

How does the law appear to people their age? Will young people respect the law if it looks plainly absurd? How does that help them?

Simon, Brentwood, UK

The Americans are such a strange race. What they (kids) do amongst themselves is none of our business. Child pornography is something committed by creapy old men, it does not make sence to charge a child for it.

Tom Peterson, London,

I wouldnt say it would be wise for a teen to send a naughty pic to their friends but for the so called authorities to behave like this is worse than any form of childishness in the teens involved. The same heavy handed authoritarian pig ignorance that leads to the high teen pregnancy rates in USA.

Steve, London, UK

Not everything that we find distasteful or immoral has to be banned.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Where would one stand in regards to topless beaches in the states

samantha, Derby, UK

America's boast of great 'freedom' is a sham. It is the most legalistic developed country on earth, and it jails more kids under 18 than any other democracy. In the U.S. you are more likely to get sued or jailed for a small offence than anywhere else in the world.

Lindsay George Gray, Owen Sound, Canada

It is ludicrous to be arrested for receiving a image when one has no control over being the passive recipient of such materiel. This is a modern day witch hunt and justice and common sense seem to be absent.

Steve Mason, Devon, England

Child porn laws for teenagers over 13 is just stupid. For gods sake, most kids where married by 13/14 for the last 80,000 years. If the pic is of a kid younger than 13, then ya we have a problem. Remember, pedophiles like young children, not teenagers.

Grim, Lancaster,CA, USA

Ban all phones! It's the only way to stop the moral decline.

John, Brussels, Belgium

what do people expect.These days in mainstream Movies ,talk shows {TV} Nudity ,sex {all types} "Rap"etc etc ,its all there and officially approved. society have themselves to blame for this. Its fashion, who really cares. "officialdom",and commerce, bring back censorship if you object .

Hugh Dickinson, hobart,

At this age, curiosity about their bodies and a healthy interest in the opposite sex is natural, normal, mostly innocent and has been happening for centuries. It is only when adults get involved that it becomes obsessive, exploitative and dangerous.
Don't apply adult laws or rules to children.

colwill, Lincoln, uk

This is stupid, teenagers being charged of possesing child pornography because they have naked pictures of themselves. what is the world coming to? Having that on their record is going to ruin their chances of jobs/college, and for what? Ridiculous. Loosen up America

holly, london, uk

I think a minor taking nude photos of himself/herself or distributing it is simply freedom of speech. The law has no right to intervene in this matter. Just as the police doesn't arrest kids who cut themselves, it shouldn't arrest them for exploiting themselves, as long as no 3rd party is involved.

Jimmy, London,

not surprising that with the abundance of over-sexualized advertising and tv shows teens think that the best way to get attention and possibly popularity is by showing off their bodies. A bit sad, I guess, but a reflection of our times.

Fede, London, UK

Another example of the American judicial system wasting its resources - charging teens with "production" of child pornography of themselves? They're kids, not exploitative pornographers. There must be some other way to discourage teens from humiliating scenarios and ruined prospects.

Ella, Hong Kong,

Taking nude photos, and the last one described in the act...is sexual in nature, children are not consenting adults. This isn't brain surgery. This "trend" has consequences, you don't put children in adult situations, if you do you are a lousy parent.

Laree, TEXAS, USA

I find it hard to believe that any self respecting teenager is 'sexting' using the 352 by 288 camera on the five year old (since release) Sony Ericsson T610 shown in the picture. This was a low resolution camera even in 2003!

Andy, Derby, UK

my friend sent pictures and they recently got sent to every guy in the school i think that is consequence enough let alone getting arrested. i do think that arresting someone for that is obscene.

Nikki, Connecticut, USA

It seems drastic to arrest the teens but I suspect it is a move to show there are consequences. What's the harm in sending a topless photo to a boyfriend-the likelihood is that the boyfriend will forward the photo to someone who will forward it and so on. The lack of control may cost them a job.

Sheryl, Providence, USA

Hang on there commentators. Work out the logic of what you're saying. So sending a topless photo of a child to a boyfriend is ok Helena? What if that boyfriend is 40? Is that still ok? Yes? No? Why? Alastair? Is the photo indecent or not? It depends? On what? Why exactly? What's your reasoning?

Laura Roberts, London, UK

apparently some Brits don't watch the excellent tv show Skins.

ted

ted, Rumford, RI, USA

As every child sees themselves naked on a daily basis I propose we place every child on the sex offenders register until they reach 16. Should sort out all this noncense.

Matt, Hereford, UK

This item appears on the Times homepage next to the item for "Posh the Underwear Model" and Victoria is wearing not a lot...

John, Colchester, UK

I don't quite understand what is so awful about sending a topless picture to a boyfriend - charging them with pedophilia is ridiculous (and i hope, exclusively American)

helena lambert, Andover,

I support the "bold moves [taken] to secure a date." The authorities should relax.

Joshua, Buffalo, USA

Not prevalent in Britain? Three years ago there was concern about this among teenagers in the East Midlands, and if memory serves, this was just a local concern about a more widespread practice.
I had to deal with one case personally, and the lad involved didn't come up with the idea by himself.

Pedro Conejo, Puerto Cabras, Spain

Clearly there is only one solution to this madness:
We must arrest all teenagers.

Peter, Toronto,

How can it possibly be an offence to take a photo of yourself? 13 year olds arrested for child pornography? How ludicrous. "Only in America", as the saying goes...

Alastair, Alicante, Spain

It is wrong to prosecute a child for child pornography. This is a crime committed by adults, not children. The reason a child takes an indecent photo cannot be the same reason a paedophile would. It is therefore wrong to charge them with the same crime, and for the child to live with this stigma.

K. Cooper, Crawley, England

The question is, who is wrong: The authorities for arresting youngsters who've got pictures of their girlfriends topless on their mobiles, or the youngsters for doing 'indecent' things with their mobiles. I sincerely hope, that this doesn't get blown out of proportion.

Gregor, Würzburg, Germany