My son, at age 22, was put into prison after being charged with "Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor".  The girl was 15 (almost 16) and participated fully in the conversation and never blocked my son. (this is important to note, it takes seconds for someone to block anyone in chat, seconds)  For online chat only, never meeting or attempting to meet the person, it should be considered a misdemeanor and NEVER have the young man be put on a registry for the public to humiliate!  THEN I find out it's so common it's ridiculous!  This law has to be repealed and I'll make sure somehow, some way!  There needs to be a differentiation at LEAST..never meeting but talking about sex should be a misdemeanor if it is anyone younger than 25, period.  If it is dangerous talking and meeting up in a dangerous location, that might be considered a felony - it depends on the circumstances and if they can prove there was criminal intent.  If they planned on meeting in a PUBLIC PLACE, again, it should be considered a misdemeanor, simply because no sex is intended in a public place.  It all boils down to criminal intent - there was NONE in my sons case and plenty of other cases of young men chatting (mostly with cops!) Now we have a report that shows that this is true and DAH, common.  Check it out here (it refers to the original from the nytimes) Be SURE to read the COMMENTS here  Much like the Southern Government (I'm talking Texas and Louisiana here since I'm familiar with these two sets of "lawmakers") - it's obvious that the laws were not made to "protect the children" or "to protect just one child".  It is for political gain and posturing ONLY (and, of course, the money!)  The commenters are now seeing that "internet solicitation" is a JOKE! Here's one comment I loved:  Tuesday, January 13, 2009 File this under "D" for "Duh!" and "Disappearing" I saw an interesting story in the New York Times about a blue-ribbon task force study concluding that the supposed threat to children from online sexual predators is vastly overblown, if not a myth approaching moral panic status. I wonder how often police from different jurisdictions end up talking to each other in chat rooms. Anyway, I suspect this story will fade away and no one -- certainly not lawmakers -- will remember it the next time some high-profile case grabs headlines and demands action..."for the children." ***end*** Write the people below to tell them to RELEASE my son from this terror!!!!  (Because of the Adam Walsh Act, he will have to register as a sex offender Tier II for 25 years!!!  He's NOT a sex offender! HE NEVER MET THE GIRL or knew where she lived!!!)  He plea bargained for 10 years registry.  He was told if he went to trial they (the D.A. and Judge) would sentence him to a minimum 25-50 years prison.  Yep, true! They gave that to my sons attorney! Most rso's do do a plea bargain because the D.A. usually threatens for the worst possible outcome and these young men are terrified! (and embarrassed) NOTE: I do believe punishment is good for people, but I believe the punishment should fit the "crime" and to me, this isn't a crime but just a stupid, immature thing to do online.  (my son agrees it was stupid and immature).  We feel community service and counseling for both young people so they learn that some behavior is just not mature.   If a young person can be charged with murder and tried as an ADULT, why aren't the minors being charged as well for sexual online chat?  I'd like to know. PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO: Congressman Jim McCrery Washington DC Office 2104 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable David Vitter United States Senate 516 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1804 The Honorable Mary Landrieu United States Senate 724 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1803 Governor Bobby Jindal Office of the Governor P.O. Box 94004 Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004 If you need a sample letter: Sample Letter (MS Word)