And how’s that different then, say, a 35 year old producing porn featuring a 20-something? Child pornography laws are meant to reflect the age of consent in pornography.
If they got those picture in a sneaky way (ie. going into girls’ bathrooms and stalking them) then they should face the same punishments that adults would for doing such acts to fellow adults, not because of the age of the person. If we try a minor with laws that are meant to enforce age group boundaries between minors/adults, then we are pushing the laws beyond their original intent, and beyond our cultural normalities as people within age groups.
To charge a minor as if he/she is an adult on “To Catch a Predator” is like arresting teens both under the age of consent just for having sex.
For a girlfriend and boyfriend to exchange photos is one thing. When a former boyfriend (or girlfriend), in a fit of petty pique, posts explicit photos of his/her underage “friend” on the Internet, yes, I think there should be a severe penalty. In this instance they are not just harming themselves, but exposing the other party to danger from REAL pedophiles.