Is it a crime to lie about your age?
Christopher Davis
Updated on May 12, 2026
What You Need To Know. A minor that lies about their age online and on social media will not face criminal penalties for conduct arising out of their lie. Adults can incur serious legal consequences when speaking to minors online, should those conversations be sexual in nature.
What is the punishment for lying about your age?
The prison sentencing range for a conviction is 3, 6, or 8 years in prison. If the child was under 14 and bodily harm was inflicted, a conviction can carry up to life in prison. No state lets the minor's consent be used as a legal defense.Is it a crime to lie about your age online?
Is lying on the Internet a federal crime? Yes! The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) under 18 U.S.C. § 1030 was enacted by Congress as an amendment to existing federal law known as the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984.Is it OK to lie about your age?
You can say anything you want, they reason, because you shouldn't have been asked the question in the first place. Lying about one's age is considered socially acceptable, as is declaring the fact that your age is nobody's business.Can I change my age?
You can't change your age, it changes all by itself.Is It OK To Lie About Your Age?
What's an excuse for lying about your age?
Reasons folks lie about their age include:So I just lie.” “I lie about my age because I like talking to older women. None of them take me seriously when they know exactly how much younger I am then them.” “I lie about my age because I hate others my age so much I don't want others to judge me because of it.”