# Pedophilia;  Tell me why it\`s wrong if no contact with minors exists.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophilia-tell-me-why-it-s-wrong-if-no-contact-with-minors-exists/207447>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 14, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophilia-tell-me-why-it-s-wrong-if-no-contact-with-minors-exists/207447 "2003-10-14T20:43:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophilia-tell-me-why-it-s-wrong-if-no-contact-with-minors-exists/207447/41 "2003-10-15T18:23:18Z")

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I think the line is crossed when there is harm to a child. In the first example (actual pictures), a child has been exploited and therefore harmed. Thats not the case in the other two scenarios.

However an interesting question arises with the second and third scenario. If a pedophile uses these simulated images, does it increase or decrease the possibility of them commiting a crime. You could argue that the images might cause a pedophile to desire the real thing even more, by the temptation of what they are seeing. You could also possibly argue that their self-gratification to these images might replace an urge to actually find a real child.

I’m not sure what that answer is though because I have no clue how the mind of a pedophile works. I would imagine it happens both ways. Some are more likely to act because of these images and some, less so.

Having said that, I see another danger in the simulated child-porn scenario, whether with real models or digital creations. It could be used to lure a kid into thinking that it is ok to have sex with an adult. “See, they are having fun.” In that respect, I think it is better to err on the side of caution, and not have any of these images be allowable. The Supreme Court appears to disagree however.

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**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophilia-tell-me-why-it-s-wrong-if-no-contact-with-minors-exists/207447/42 "2003-10-16T13:23:26Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by musicguy \*  
> \*\*… I have no clue how the mind of a pedophile works. \*\*

About as differently as yours or mine.

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