The Status of Sexting Laws Across the United States
As of July 1, 2022, 23 states in the U.S. do not have laws specific to teen sexting. Our research shows that approximately 14% of middle and high school students have sent explicit images to others, while about 23% have received similar images from others. Likewise, a 2022 meta-analysis of 28 studies published between 2016 […]
Sexting Laws Across America
Please click on any state to learn exactly what their sexting laws cover. (Updated July, 2022) State SextingLaw Includes“Sexting” Addressesminorssending Addressesminorsreceiving Penalty:Diversion Penalty:Informal Penalty:Misdem Penalty:Felony RevengePornLaw Alabama NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES Alaska NO NO NO NO NO NO YES NO YES Arizona YES NO YES YES NO NO YES NO […]
Sexting Laws in Idaho
There is no sexting law in Idaho as of July 2022. House Bill 625 (proposed in 2022) is a proposed revenge porn law that appears to only apply to adults: HOUSE BILL NO. 625 BY JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION OF UNSOLICITED SEXUAL MATERIAL; AMENDING CHAPTER 41, TITLE 18, IDAHO […]
Sexting Laws in Illinois
(705 ILCS 405/3-40) Sec. 3-40. Minors involved in electronic dissemination of indecent visual depictions in need of supervision. (a) For the purposes of this Section: “Computer” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 17-0.5 of the Criminal Code of 2012. “Electronic communication device” means an electronic device, including but not limited to a wireless […]
Sexting Laws in Indiana
Section 35-45-4-6 – Indecent display by a youth (a) This section applies only to a person to whom all of the following apply: (1) The person is less than eighteen (18) years of age. (2) The person is not more than four (4) years older than the individual who is depicted in the image or […]
Sexting Laws in Iowa
There is no sexting law in Iowa as of July 2022. However, the below laws may be indirectly or directly implicated. Obscenity: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/728.pdf 708.7 Harassment. (revenge porn addition in paragraph 5) (5) Disseminates, publishes, distributes, posts, or causes to be disseminated, published, distributed, or posted a photograph or film showing another person in a state […]
Sexting Laws in Kansas
Effective July 1, 2016 in Kansas: 21-5610. Unlawful possession of a visual depiction of a child. (a) Unlawful possession of a visual depiction of a child is knowingly possessing a visual depiction of a child 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age in a state of nudity, if committed by […]
Sexting Laws in Kentucky
There is no sexting law in Kentucky as of July 2022. However, the law below may be indirectly or directly implicated. Revenge Porn Law: 531.120 Distribution of sexually explicit images without consent.(1) A person is guilty of distribution of sexually explicit images without consent when:(a) He or she intentionally distributes to any third party private […]
Sexting Laws in Louisiana
For a first offense of possessing or transmitting indecent visual depictions of a minor, the offender will receive a minimum fine of $100 to a maximum of $250, incarcerated for up to ten days, or both. An exception to this provision is if they offender is placed on probation and performs two eight-hour days of […]
Sexting Laws in Maryland
There is no sexting law in Maryland as of July 2022. However, the law below may be indirectly or directly implicated. Proposed law (2021): HOUSE BILL 180 (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0180T.pdf) Juveniles – Sexting FOR the purpose of establishing a certain mitigating factor in a certain juvenile court proceeding against a child for a certain violation; requiring and […]
