How to Spot Child Pornography

Child pornography is an insidious crime. Determining what is child pornography and what is legal pornography under the law is often difficult. However, there are a few tell-tale signs that pornography is not using individuals of legal age. Follow these guidelines to help you spot child pornography and help end this destructive media form.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use your judgment. If you come across a website, publication or video where the participants look underage, it should serve as a warning sign. Pay special attention to clues such as pre-pubescent features or a bootleg feel to the pictures or pornography.
2. Do some research on the current U.S. child pornography laws and regulations. Visit the FBI website to find out more information on current child porn websites or investigations currently pending (see Resources below).
3. Check the website, photos or videos for indication of U.S. Code Section 2257 of Title 18, which indicates that all models must be 18 years of age. Note that many websites indicate that discrepancies of a model's age can be brought forth and identification must be given if under question.
4. Pay attention to whether the material you are suspicious about is appearing on a peer network such as YouTube. Report any suspicions of violation to the website so they can pursue further recourse.
5. Carefully distinguish between what one would consider explicit adult conduct on the one hand, and art on the other. Be aware that many artists skirt the line between what is pornographic and what isn't. Report the site, publication or video and allow legal professionals to determine the content's appropriateness.

Tips & Warnings

• Surfing Peer to Peer networks are a good place to look for illegal child pornography because it is shared between individuals. These instances should be reported immediately to the ASACP or the FBI for further investigation.
• If you suspect a website of engaging in illegal child pornographic conduct, then it is your responsibility to report such information to proper authorities. Failure to do so is child neglect and abuse under the law.