A parent who possesses a videotape showing their child engaged in sexual conduct is guilty of possessing child pornography. True or False?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only If Distributed
• D. Only If They Knew It Was Illegal

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that possession of child pornography is a crime by having the material in one's control, not by distributing it or by knowing it’s illegal. In many jurisdictions, simply possessing such material is enough for conviction because the act itself is illegal and dangerous, regardless of whether the person knew it was illegal or intended to share it.

So the statement is true: a parent who has a videotape showing their child in sexual conduct can be guilty of possessing child pornography even if they did not distribute it or know it was illegal. The other options don’t fit because they would require distribution or a knowledge of illegality, neither of which is usually needed for a possession charge.