US court on ‘sexting’: Child porn or child’s play?

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Three federal judges in Philadelphia have heard the first criminal case of “sexting” to reach a U.S. appeals court — a dispute over cell-phone images of three teenage girls.

The judges hearing arguments Friday must decide whether the girls can be charged with child pornography.

The American Civil Liberties Union calls the photos harmless — and argues the girls are victims, if anything.

Defense lawyers say the girls did not distribute the photos, which show two 12-year-olds in training bras and a topless 16-year-old.

Wyoming County prosecutors say the images are dangerous because predators could get them.

They ordered 16 public-school students to attend a “re-education” class or face prosecution. Three families are challenging the order.