
Originally Posted by
Kaurhz
Sure that is a valid point, but it is moot because it is a false equivalence.
The problem here is interacting with people that are minors.. No minor is ever going to report you, and nor would a case go anywhere unless you minor explicitly revealed their age to you.
So let's look at a hypothetical situation. Minor lies about their age or doesn't reveal it and the venue is of 18+ then the probability; minor isn't going to report you, and if they do nothing would come of the situation, more than likely because there was no level of mutual understanding. Legally, you'd actually be protected under this premise to my limited understanding.
Now if this hypothetical situation were to extend further, and the minor then later revealed their age to you, this is the moment that you would be under obligation to warn the person of their actions and the consequences therein, and then tell the child you cannot go further, alongside potentially cutting contact with them, and telling them you can no longer engage in online solicitation. The premise of your communication will have been formed on misinformation and deliberate. However, this would be the cut-off point in which an individual should understand their actions and that proceeding further is likely to get you in trouble for online solicitation with someone not of appropriate age. The basis with which your communication was formed probably won't matter, but further continuing that communication would matter. This is more than likely what you'd be judged upon.
Jesus Christ. I'm not even sure how I should dignify it with a response, but again it goes back to the whole, you're part of a collective society thus you have as much responsibility as anyone else in the society to do your part, irrespective of what circumstance may otherwise dictate. If you qualify for certain circumstances, then you'll get them, which covers those that would otherwise need additional consideration. But irrespective of this you still should be tried accordingly, with the only differentiation being you're put into a mental institution as opposed to a prison. Everything else, you should be tried as an adult, because it correctly and accurately represents you as a member of a functioning society.
It's impractical from a social construct perspective, but it is also a disservice to those around you, and a massive disservice to yourself; even if you may feel contrary to this -- because it doesn't accurately convey the gravity of their actions, consequentially speaking. As a child, I was ever a problem child, and regularly had meetings with a psychiatrist. -- The biggest and best wakeup call I had from her is when she told me my actions had consequences, and then further aided this point by telling me if my behavior were to continue into adulthood then anything I do, would be done as an adult, and thus tried as such.