Sort of a weird question

I go to a website where there is a board like this and I exchange posts with other new mothers. Everyone had 'sigs', signatures that end their posts and they are, of course, pics of the babies and people are constantly updating them. So my question is...does anyone know what is illegal to post of your child? I would never post a naked pic of my child, even his butt, even at 4 months old. In fact they have a 'picture theme of the week' and it was baby butts one week and I did not participate but people do. Anyway, there is someone who has a new sig with full frontals of her little boy completely naked. I know she doesn't mean it pornographically but I think it's weird. Does anyone else or is my mind in the gutter or something? Even weirder - someone else has her baby boy belly down on a throw rug (naked of course) - not really that bad but then she also has a pic of her 2 year old daughter in the same position. I have a 2 year old niece and can't picture posting a photo of her on the internet like that let alone taking pics of her like that- naked on a throw rug. I don't want to get these people in trouble or anything like that, I was just curious. I get pics developed at shutterfly and I was even concerned that they would not be allowed to print Luke's newborn shots from the delivery room (of him only! but in his bday suit). I think ppl with children should watch what they do even if they don't mean it bad, there are weirdos out there that get off on this stuff.

edited to add: I feel like I'm the only one who thinks it strange on the board, people are saying stuff like he looks so cute, I love your new sig and meanwhile I want to say why do you feel the need to post naked pics of your boy?

I have photos of Patrick naked on a rug. (My sister wanted the photo. She did it with all 3 of her kids) I would NEVER post it. Heck I have a few cheek shots of him. But FULL FRONTAL NEVER!!! I don't think there is a reason. (Unless of course it's the 'I just came out of the womb pic')
As for the 2 year old again I wouldn't take it as pornagraphic! But I hope she didn't post it either! I can remember seeing bath shots of my younger brother & he was older then 2. But then again bubbles can cover things!
Unfortunatley with all the sickos in this world it makes people not trust anybody!!!

Liz, I definitely don't think this is a weird question, and there's nothing wrong with you questioning what these parents are thinking. What website is this? Is it a Parenting site, or is it a general site? I don't know why, but somehow I think the context matters regarding the appropriateness.

I also think everyone has different views and comfort levels regarding nudity and sexuality. I think probably most of those parents who are posting nude pics of their children probably just see the pics are the most beautiful representation of their child's body. Personally, I think nude pics of babies are beautiful too and I have taken many since Paul was born. However, I don't think I'd post Paul naked on the Internet for the world to see. But, I have posted some of his more modest, but not fully clothed shots.

I'm sure one could argue that babies and children are not sexual beings yet - they have not learned to identify their gender with a particular behavior (or societal stereotype) and therefore, those cute little naked butts are purely innocent in every sense of the word. Also, children do not know what shame is - it is something they are taught purely by how nudity and physical contact are handled within their family units.

Is it exploitation? Maybe...but, again I think it depends entirely upon the context and on your personal perspective.

Its a parenting site. I definitely think their little bods are the cutest thing (especially my boy) but i think the posting it publicly part no matter where it is might be considered inappropriate not just by me but by legal standards. I dont know. thats the part i am curious about. i have those mostly modest little nudie shots of luke and i also wonder if a photo shop is allowed to develop them just bc there are sickos out there..sicker than we can fathom. I think they are all done with the idea of the kids being beautiful and innocent - that part I don't question - but it's the posting it on the Internet part.

Hmmmmm...

I think the whole 'predators' thing is silly...we all post pics here and to me, if someone is gonna steal or harm your child, it won't matter if the pics are nude or not.

But, regarding Liz's 'legal' question...what would make it illegal?? They are posting on a Pareting site, not a porn site and not as part of a child prostitution ring...so, I doubt there are any actual laws to prevent people from posting nude pics of their kids in that [Parenting] context. However, they are doing so at their own [and their child's] risk. JMO.

Claud-I hear what you are saying but I dont think that is true or I should say I don't know if that is true. There are laws about what you can or cant put on the internet when it comes to children, I just dont know if it applies to this.

I really don't know...that was the original question. I suppose the site moderators should know the internet laws but you never know.

edited to add: I know I started the topic but the whole thing is creeping me out

I don't see a parent taking bath time photos as porno, nor do I think a DA would either. I think if you were trying to sell the photos or using them in a sexual way on a website then that is illegal. I never really thought of posting or not posting those types of photos- probably since I don't have any to post- but I wouldn't think one of you was weird or preverted if you posted one. I doubt I would post full frontal photos.

Editted to post about the whole sexual preditor thing: I think if you have a 12 year old daughter you need to worry A LOT about their Internet use and who they are 'really' chatting with. But I have never heard of one case where someone posted a photo of their infant online and then had the baby snatched by someone who saw it. For one, that would mean the preditor not only knowing who you are, but where you live and then working out the kidnapping plan. Most sexual preditors do not kidnap infants either- they want toddlers and up.

Liz, I am not trying to be flippant or anything...actually, in all seriousness...did you try doing an Internet search regarding a possible law against posting nude pics of children on the Web?

I just did a quick search and found this...haven't read the whole thing, but thought I'd share...there are some links to federal agencies at the bottom of the page:
Nude Photos of Children