Sexting is defined as sending naked or sexually explicit pictures and transmitting them through social media or text messages. In many states, sexting among teens is regulated by laws.
In Oklahoma, however, there is no specific statute that covers teenage sexting. When people take, send or receive these inappropriate pictures of children under 18 years old, even if it’s a picture of his or herself, the act is covered by the state of Oklahoma’s child pornography statutes.
What are child pornography laws in Oklahoma?
Child pornography laws are in place to go after people who are commercial pornographers, pedophiles and other kinds of predators.
One example of sexting and child pornography in Oklahoma was when three 18-year-old boys faced child pornography charges because a teenage girl sent a naked picture of herself to her boyfriend, and then the 18-year-old boys sent the pictures to other people.
In Oklahoma, you can be convicted of child pornography if you do any of the following with sexually explicit images of children:
- Create
- Download
- Copy
- Store
- Sell
- Give away
- Distribute
- Encourage children to take nude pictures or record them engaging in sexual activity
If you’re a teenager who has done any of the following, you could potentially be charged with child pornography in Oklahoma:
- Received a naked picture of a classmate who’s under 18, even if you didn’t ask him or her to send it.
- You send a naked photo of yourself to someone else and you’re under 18
- You convinced your friend who’s under 18 to send a sexually explicit photo of him or herself.
Can sexting be punished under federal law?
Federal law can also prosecute sexting cases, depending on the specifics of the case.
A federal law enacted in 2003 makes it illegal to do the following with sexually explicit images of persons under 18 years old:
- Create
- Distribute
- Receive
- Possess
Although federal law prohibits sexting, it’s not likely that federal prosecutors will be handling teen sexting cases. That’s typically reserved for state courts. In Oklahoma, it would be handled under the state’s child pornography law.
Whether it’s federal or state law, your best bet would be to not send or receive sexually explicit pictures of people under the age of 18.
