Is it right to charge this boy with child pornography?

[js207]

Do you mean intent to sell on?
I do not understand the last of it, what would be difficult for the boyfriend?

No, intent to possess the material in question. If Customs find a package of drugs in the post to me, for example, that isn't enough to prosecute me: they'd need to show that I was actually involved in some way, for example having paid the sender or communicated with them about it.

In general - what I do not understand is that to my mind laws against child pornography are meant to protect children, right? Against harm, exploitation and exposure. And so they should be, obviously.

But all we have here is a situation with two teenagers fooling around with each other, as they do - lots of them! Where is the harm, or threat, in that?? I do not understand.

You have a point there: this isn't really what the law was intended to catch, so with luck it might be changed in future. I wouldn't hold my breath for that though.

[thir]

No, intent to possess the material in question. If Customs find a package of drugs in the post to me, for example, that isn't enough to prosecute me: they'd need to show that I was actually involved in some way, for example having paid the sender or communicated with them about it.

Ah. Thanks.

You have a point there: this isn't really what the law was intended to catch, so with luck it might be changed in future. I wouldn't hold my breath for that though.

Or they could just let them go, maybe, for that reason?