From April 6th 2010 it will be illegal to possess ‘non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse’ in England and Wales. Thousands of fans of Japanese anime, hentai and graphic novels face a maximum three years imprisonment and a place on the Sex Offenders Register for possessing sexually themed cartoons.
The full pdf concerning the law is available here: http://www.backlash.org.uk/pdf/consultation-non-photographic-response.pdf
The Dangerous Cartoons clauses are found in http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2009/ukpga_20090025_en_5#pt2-ch2, also see explanatory notes.
A more concise explanation can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDjtMgsBuvE.
Backlash contests this law on the grounds that freedom of expression should not be limited to information or ideas favoured by the Government or the majority. In light of the Government’s apparent commitment to “evidence based” policy making, it is contradictory that material that lies outside these guidelines should be criminalised on the basis of abhorrence rather than harm. At the Commons Committee hearing, Maria Eagle MP argued that the use of disgust in the writing of UK sexuality law is “well-established”, when in the past incorporating disgust into censorship law has been used primarily to discriminate against representations of hom*osexuality. The Government is essentially inventing a victimless crime on the grounds of taste and creating law that will have no impact on child protection strategies. Images of non-existent children do not indicate abuse or trauma; nobody can be harmed in the making of an illustration.
Although this law specifies that it applies only to images created for sexual gratification, depending on the level of detail or crudeness of said illustration many of the images likely to fall under this law are laughably unrealistic, often rendered for comedy purposes, albeit crude comedy. ÂThese images may indeed incite sexual arousal in some individuals, but to assume that is the case for the population as a whole is a damning condescension, and presents a very real risk of a jury misinterpreting a still from a cartoon or a single image from a comic when it is removed from the exposition of its narrative.
Cartoons particularly at risk here are manga and anime, Japanese comics and cartoons. ÂThe well known Japanese trend for large eyes, small mouths, high voices, enlarged heads, androgynous body shapes, adolescent gesticulations and the culture of Kawaii mean that a massive proportion of “cute” protagonists in Japanese illustrated or animated erotica may be perceived by a western audience as underage simply due to the trends and bias of that culture. Japan’s tradition of Ecchi and Hentai, and particularly in this instance, Lolicon and Shotacon, plus their mild censorship of explicit works (often tiny censorship boxes over only the very tips of genitals) mean that even mainstream material may potentially be an infringement of this law.
Western graphic novels may likewise fall foul, despite being more comprehensible to a western jury. Many moments in western cartoons and graphic novels could be deemed p*rnographic without the advantage of viewing the context of the story surrounding it. Specific points of concern include Alan Moore‘s widely-lauded works, Watchmen and Lost Girls.
It is also worrying to note that Lolicon has been mentioned specifically in relation to this new law but not Shotacon. The law may just be culturally oblivious of Lolicon’s sister genre, but why do the depictions cited by Government exclusively relate to images of (fictional, non-existent) girls when the (fictional, non-existent) boys in these pieces are as much at risk? In addition to inventing a law to punish those committing a victimless crime, it also runs the risk of appearing culturally ignorant and, as with the Dangerous Pictures Act, seems focussed far more if not entirely on women (or, in this case, non-existent girls) in the offending material, once again implying that only girls can be victimised by this material and must be protected.
Backlash is strongly opposed to any form of child abuse, and does NOT defend the right to possess sexually explicit images of children. However, the Dangerous Cartoons Act is the second intervention in five years by UK Government to police possession of p*rnographic content on the grounds of obscenity and abhorrence rather than evidence of harm. This law may potentially incriminate a far larger proportion of oblivious and otherwise law-abiding internet users than the Dangerous Pictures Act, in reaction to which Backlash was founded, and likewise runs the risk of creating criminals by dint of mere misinterpretation of an image when presented without context.
FAQs
Section 1466A of Title 18, United States Code, makes it illegal for any person to knowingly produce, distribute, receive, or possess with intent to transfer or distribute visual representations, such as drawings, cartoons, or paintings that appear to depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and are deemed ...
How to break down political cartoons? ›
Steps to analyzing a political cartoon: 1) Identify the characters, symbols, and objects in the cartoon. 2) Look for clues and details that would give further meaning. 3) Identify the main idea of the cartoon by reading any captions and by putting the message in your own words.
How do cartoons affect children's psychology? ›
Emotional Resonance and Empathy
One of the most significant impacts of animation on the brain lies in its ability to evoke emotions and foster empathy. Cartoons often feature relatable characters facing various challenges, triumphs, and setbacks.
Is cartoon violence bad? ›
Studies have found that children who are repeatedly exposed to violent cartoons may display more aggressive behaviors, both verbally and physically, compared to those who are not exposed to such content.
Can a child get in trouble for sending dirty pictures? ›
Most states with sexting laws treat sexting as a misdemeanor criminal offense. A minor commits the act of sexting if they knowingly use a computer or electronic device to send photos that show nudity. States without specific sexting laws may charge minors with possession of sexually explicit digital material.
Is writing CP illegal? ›
What Is NOT Legally Considered Child p*rn: Some Written Content and Parent Photos. Believe it or not, writing about underage sex either between two minors or between an adult and a minor is not automatically illegal at either the state or federal level, though obscenity laws still apply.
What are exaggerated political cartoons called? ›
A caricature is a painting, or more usually drawing, of a person or thing in which the features and form have been distorted and exaggerated in order to mock or satirise the subject.
What is the most famous political cartoon? ›
Gillray's most famous cartoon, The Plumb-Pudding in Danger, was described by modern British political cartoonist Martin Rowson as “probably the most famous political cartoon of all time.”
Are political cartoons defamation? ›
Editorial cartoons necessarily use "rhetorical hyperbole" to communicate and if no reasonable person would understand the meaning conveyed by the cartoon literally then literal readings of the cartoon cannot be used as the basis of a libel action.
Why do autistic people prefer cartoons? ›
Prior research suggests that while autistic people may demonstrate poorer facial emotion recognition when stimuli are human, these differences lessen when stimuli are anthropomorphic.
Too many hours of sitting in front of a screen watching cartoons can cause several health issues due to inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle. These include obesity, vision problems, and nutritional deficiencies due to bad food habits.
Why do I watch kid shows as an adult? ›
During an interview with Vice, psychotherapist Dr. Laurel Steinberg commented children's media can help if you're depressed. She says that kids' shows “can help restore optimism and give someone a break from worrying or feeling sad, all of which can help elevate [your] mood.”
Can a cartoon be illegal? ›
US Federal law has a specific section of its obscenity laws to address this. Section 1466A deals with “Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.” It specifies that: “Drawings, cartoons, or paintings that appear to depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct are deemed obscene.”
Are Tom and Jerry violent? ›
Parents need to know that this has 85% cartoon violence. In some episodes people are smoking but only a little.
Is CP illegal in the US? ›
Child p*rnography is not protected by the First Amendment and is criminalized in the federal criminal code. Title 18, Section 2260 makes it a crime for any person to knowingly receive, transport, ship, distribute, sell, or possess any child p*rnography.
Is it illegal to download CP? ›
Can I Get Into Trouble For Downloading Child p*rnography Just Once? Yes, without a doubt, even one act of downloading a single piece of child p*rnography – whether that be a photo, video or other media – can mean criminal sex crimes charges.
Is AI CP illegal? ›
The FBI issues the warning amid growing worries that the US needs to be more clear and forceful in targeting those who use AI to create child sexual abuse materials.
Is it legal to draw someone without permission? ›
Yes, sketching or drawing someone else's photograph without their permission can potentially be a copyright violation. Copyright law grants exclusive rights to the owner of a photograph to control the use, reproduction, and distribution of their work.
