Searched through 50 pages here looking for an answer, mostly since this seems a place where people would know the answer.

What is the legality of loli content online (in the US)? Is viewing it an illegal activity? Does having a VPN protect from potential hardships? Is the only reason its banned from places due to advertisers not wishing to be associated from a moral standpoint?

If it is photorealistic or if they are depicted as under 18 it is considered child pornography. A lot of defenders will try to find loopholes but the Supreme Court ruled that to be the case and it has yet to be overturned.

However, I think they left it up to individual states to decide what laws to pass and how to prosecute it. Some outright ban it and others are a bit more tolerant. I know my state requires you to be at least 18 to go to porn sites and those that depict sex with minors are blocked.

What a free country we live in… but I guess it’s somewhat understandable considering some of the sickos I’ve encountered online.

It's illegal if it's photorealistic and traced from a minor. Otherwise, meh.

If it's based on a real minor or traced from one, then it's illegal.

Otherwise it's fair game

*AI generated images sweating and looking around nervously hoping nobody asks details about their datasets*

There is illegal stuff on those datasets. I guess it would be your fault if the AI produces some illegal stuff.

Well it's illegal now in italy. And seeing they made a law that don't see the difference between a child and a drawing which the offender will be registered the same and add to the crime statistics which will the antis will use as a victory flag against weebs.

Proof?

On the wiki article is still on the gray area.

www.laleggepertutti.it/66...nei-fumetti-manga-e-reato

I used italian-english translation