{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-7",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-7.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1978/37",
  "legislation_title": "Protection of Children Act 1978",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978",
  "path": "section/7",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "7",
  "heading": "Interpretation.",
  "text": "(1) The following subsections apply for the interpretation of this Act.\n(2) References to an indecent photograph include an indecent film, a copy of an indecent photograph or film, and an indecent photograph comprised in a film.\n(3) Photographs (including those comprised in a film) shall, if they show children and are indecent, be treated for all purposes of this Act as indecent photographs of children and so as respects pseudo-photographs.\n( 4 ) References to a photograph include—\n(a) the negative as well as the positive version; and\n(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into a photograph.\n(4A) References to a photograph also include—\n(a) a tracing or other image, whether made by electronic or other means (of whatever nature)—\n(i) which is not itself a photograph or pseudo-photograph, but\n(ii) which is derived from the whole or part of a photograph or pseudo-photograph (or a combination of either or both); and\n(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into an image within paragraph (a);\nand subsection (8) applies in relation to such an image as it applies in relation to a pseudo-photograph.\n(5) “Film” includes any form of video-recording.\n(6) “Child”, subject to subsection (8), means a person under the age of 18.\n( 7 ) “ Pseudo-photograph ” means an image, whether made by computer-graphics or otherwise howsoever, which appears to be a photograph.\n(8) If the impression conveyed by a pseudo-photograph is that the person shown is a child, the pseudo-photograph shall be treated for all purposes of this Act as showing a child and so shall a pseudo-photograph where the predominant impression conveyed is that the person shown is a child notwithstanding that some of the physical characteristics shown are those of an adult.\n(9) References to an indecent pseudo-photograph include—\n(a) a copy of an indecent pseudo-photograph; and\n(b) data stored on a computer disc or by other electronic means which is capable of conversion into an indecent pseudo-photograph.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in s. 7(3) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(3)(a); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "S. 7(4) substituted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(3)(b); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 7(4A) inserted (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 69(3), 153(2)(b) (with Sch. 27 para. 24(1))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "S. 7(6)-(9) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(3)(c); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Word in s. 7(6) substituted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42) , ss. 45(2) , 141 ; S.I. 2004/874 , art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in s. 7(9)(b) substituted (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 69(4), 153(2)(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "S. 7 applied (1.5.2004 for E.W.N.I., 1.5.2004 for S.) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42) , s. 141 , Sch. 3 para. 97(b) ; S.S.I. 2004/138 , art. 2 ; S.I. 2004/874 , art. 2 ; S.S.I. 2004/138 , art. 2 ; S.I. 2004/874 , art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "S. 7(4)(7) applied (prosp.) by 1997 c. 39, ss. 2(1), 11(2) (with ss. 1(4), 11(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "Ss. 1(3), 2(3), 3, 7 amended by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 160(4), Sch. 8 para. 16"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "applied",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1997/39",
      "affecting_title": "Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997"
    },
    {
      "type": "applied",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1997/39",
      "affecting_title": "Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/37/section/7",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:21:48.620806+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}