Publishing Nude Photos on Internet In a Book For Teenagers

[colevan]

I have a two hundred page book on teen health and sexuality issues that I am publishing online - target audience is 12-17. Can I publish explicit photos of adult genitalia (penis, vulva, breasts) within the pages of this online book? No sex acts or interaction of any sort is displayed; only body parts to accompany the descriptions in the book. An example is a question, "What does a circumcised penis look like? An uncircumcised one?" A picture of each accompanies the answer in the book.

Is it legal to publish these pictures online within a book aimed at minors? If not, would Photoshop-ing them into pencil sketches or diagrams make it legal? What are the alternatives if it is not legal? Which options would be legal to include in a printed version?

The pics are all legal to share; they are off WikiCommons and that is not the issue.

Thanks so much.

 

[seniorjudge]

Sounds like you are asking for the authorities to look in to your activities.

 

[calalily]

I would question that you have adult genitalia pictured for a book on teen sexuality. You should talk to a lawyer specializing in on-line publishing of this type of book as each state has differing laws.

 

[colevan]

Book

The idea is to not have the authorities looking into it, but to ensure its legality. Adult pics of specific body parts, as in medical journals, etc. seemed obviously more appropriate than teen pics. :yes:

 

[Michael Wechsler]

I would question that you have adult genitalia pictured for a book on teen sexuality. You should talk to a lawyer specializing in on-line publishing of this type of book as each state has differing laws.

Very good advice. With regard to child pornography, this seems to cover only visual representations (pictures, movies, etc.) of children/minors and not of the kind you are suggesting. However there may be other laws that might apply that might protect children. This is not a simple question to answer.