I get your reasoning... I personally think you are being a bit over cautious.
Look up "18 USC § 2252"
That is 'Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors'
"18 USC § 2257" is the one people, in the USA, think of for the porn makers needing to keep records that all the models are over 18. Most other 1st world nations have similar laws.
In short, as long as no sexually explicit images nor video of ******* is posted there is no real danger of the site being shut down for kiddie porn violation by US laws.
"18 USC § 2257", other US laws and laws of other nations, not withstanding, ARE NOT the issue here.
The Forum Rules are. PLEASE abide by them.
An additional layer of common sense is no nudity, via pics or video, of any person under age 18 should be posted here. While nudity itself is not sexual per se, it is best to steer clear of that. I myself would not post anything if it would give law enforcement any valid reason to come after me.
Images like breastfeeding, the Coppertone ad with the dog pulling the kid's suit and such may have nudity but are not deemed sexual. I have an image a pal sent to me of him holding this three year old boy with one hard, the kid is naked, over the side of his boat as the boy urinates. His wife is seen in the image shaking her head and having her hand over her face.
I would not post that image here of the kid on the boat taking a whiz. Still, that is not kiddie porn nor in violation of 18 USC § 2252.It is also funny as hell!
I really sent this funny image to my own LAWYER, via MMS, and he got a laugh. We were going to lunch and he was telling me, with small talk, a bit about his growing pains raising a family. He has a ******* about that age and could appreciate the humor depicted. No one was arrested nor fined for the image, seen below, sent.
View attachment 270932
Under your view of the 'no persons under 18 EVER' action, said image would be not allowed. Even in a thread such as this devoted to humor. Again, I get what you are aiming for, to keep the site safe, so I think it should be pointed out that rules needs to have better language applied to them as to what content should be allowed or not and for what justification.
I agree that many of these images are very entertaining and harmless. However, I do not make the rules, I have been charged with the responsibility to insure that everyone abides by them.
The rules are quite clear: All people seen in any photo or video must be at least 18 years old. If you're not sure of someone's age, don't post it.
You are correct, by posting that picture you are again in violation of the rules. Please remove it and refrain from posting similar in the future.
There is no need for the owners of the website to justify to you or me as to why they have chosen to make a rule. There are rules I would like to see modified and new ones I feel should be put in place, which I have proposed to the owners. If they choose to do so, fine, if not, that's OK as well. It's their website, we are their guests.
You and I have a choice: abide by their rules or go play in a different sandbox.
I don't say use 'common sense' . Common sense is even too loose of a term. One who grew up in a city has common sense about urban crime and what areas to go in and what areas to avoid etc. One who grew up on a farm has common sense about animals and how not to get injured by them etc. The two don't work interchangeably.
That is why I say make the language of the guidelines tight and specif on what is allowed or not. If otherwise, people should just adhere to the legal standard on what can be posted or not. An overly subjective system of what content is allowed based on which mod is on duty and who likes/dislikes what is not good for the usability of the site.
Again, the rules are quite clear regarding the issue of age as well as posting pictures with watermarks indicating possible copyright by other websites or authors.
Other legal standards are not applicable here, the rules instituted by the owners are. If you are unhappy with the rules or the way the moderators are interpreting and enforcing them, please feel free to contact the owners via the "Contact Us" tab at the bottom of the page.
However, until the rules are changed: PLEASE read the rules and abide by them.
http://blacktowhite.net/community/pages/forum-rules/
Thank you ALL for your cooperation.