Legality of "Cybersex" vs Real Sex

[Badge]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Canada and Kentucky

I met a girl on Omegle (a stranger-matching site similar to a text version of Chatroulette) who is 17 and lives in Kentucky. I myself am 19 and live in BC. Given that the age of consent for both our respective homes are 16, we could, if it was the intention, engage in a legal sexual relationship. That is not what I am pursuing. However, she is wanting to engage in cybersex over the internet. Basically, I don't know whether or not this is legal to do. I'm concerned that it could somehow be interpreted as child pornography, as she is, obviously, under 18. It seems ridiculous, considering it would be perfectly legal to have actual sex with her, but I'm not looking to break any laws. Any answers?

[Dogmatique]

My very wise Dad used to say, "If in doubt, do nowt" (Northern English slang for "nothing").

If you're unsure, then explain to your long-distance friend that you'll reconsider once she turns 18.

[Badge]

I should add that I mean entirely text-based. Picture or video would, of course, be illegal.

[Dogmatique]

Yes, we got the message.

[PandorasBox]

Um...last I knew, CyberSex was VERY sexual talk, which potentially includes masturbation, orgasm, "did you come", etc. It's not just two people "chatting" about politics, music, etc.

You're 19...I would not risk it unless you know the person. Even having the other scan an ID for ya - well, until you meet the person face to face, you just don't know who the other person really is - is it the 17 year old CyberPartner....or a parent...or a cop.....

[cbg]

And let's not even discuss the inadvisability of having such a conversation across not only state lines but a national border...Can you say, Federal charges?

[PandorasBox]

You know what....My ex and I used to play Mafia Wars. We both needed more "family"....so we set up fake accounts. It was so easy. One yahoo Email with a fake name.....followed by a fake FaceBook account....figure both of us had 3 identities each at one point....just to play an online game.

Cops creates fake accounts often to find sexual predators - that 20 year old who wants to talk sex and arrange a meeting with a 13 year old, for example.....

[Badge]

I'm not worried about it being a cop (I can legally meet her anyways) as we have had extended innocent conversation and she is only now wanting to "amp it up." I'm purely concerned about the legality as related to pornography, because again, we CAN meet in the real world.

[cbg]

cbg's basic response to questions of this kind:

If you have to ask whether it's legal or not, then regardless of whether the answer is yes or no, it's a really, really, really stupid thing to do.

[PandorasBox]

Canada and Kentucky. My guess is you would fly from BC to Kentucky to meet her. Reality is - she is still 17 and under her parents guardianship.

how about this simple solution: Keep sex and all discussions that could lead to sex talk....until she is 18 AND out of her parents home. Encourage her to get a job, save money so she can live independently, etc.

in the meantime - if you should meet this 17 year old and her parents don't like it....you can be banned from crossing into the USA, arrested, restraining order forbidding even talking to her on the computer or phone, or any combination......