Is it illegal for an adult to date a teenager?

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Is it illegal for an adult to date a teenager even if they don't have sex? an an adult go to jail for just going on a date with a teenager? Not that I plan to I was just wondering.,

The short answer is it depends. I have a friend who is currently in jail for such a relationship, and my mom got married for the first time when she was 16.


So it depends, laws can be a little bit hazy when it comes to this type of thing. Check the specific laws for your state, and even then be careful.

The age of consent varies by state(usually 16 or 17) & if your within 3 years of each other most wouldn't prosecute it unless the DA wants to prosecute for publicity(like running for office) or the teen's parents are well connected. The age of consent mostly applies to sex but if her parents really don't want you to be together, they might could file a restraining order. There's also usually laws about crossing the state with a minor without parental permission. Where I come from it's pretty common for teen girls to hook up with older guys & the cops generally won't do anything at least from the stories I heard from neighbors & parents friends & things.

My 1st girlfriend was 15 when I was 20 but it was mostly an online thing. I lived in Louisiana & she lived in Texas so I have researched those laws alittle in both states. BTW 1ce the teen is an adult(like 18 or 19) there's nothing the laws can do. I know cuz my 2nd girlfriend was 19 when I was 28(we met on this forum). Interestingly she also lived in Texas.

my ex was 15 for a few weeks after i turned 18, and she was 17 on my 20th birthday.



i'm still alive.

It's not illegal to date a teenager if you're an adult. A parent can take out a restraining order preventing an adult from dating the teenager, though. Then if the adult continues to date the teenager, he/she is liable for arrest.

As far as having sex: Depends on the state. I would say that all states, though, ban sex between somebody 21 or over, and somebody 15 or younger.

It’s definitely illegal if the adult is a teacher and the teenager a student .

My cousin dated a 16-year-old when he was 21. Everyone knew, but he didn't get in trouble or anything.

In New York State, an 18-year-old can legally have sex with a 15-year-old; but it would be illegal for a 19-year-old.

A 21-year-old cannot have sex with somebody under 18.

Anal sex, fellatio, cunnilingus are considered “sex acts.” They used to be called “sodomy.”

Is it illegal for an adult to have cybersex with a teen I'm not talking about chatroom things where people are supposed to be adults & the teen is assumed/expected to be over 18 or where the teen lies about his/her age. For the record I only had cybersex with two people & they were both my girlfriends

I remember when I was 17 I had a boyfriend who was 18, and he worried because he was legally an adult while I was legally still a child, and he was worried that it will mean he's a paedophile. He had intellectual disability so I didn't judge him for worrying about that.