What offense is committed when a man communicates online with a 13-year-old girl about sex?

The offense committed when a man communicates online with a 13-year-old girl about sex is Online Solicitation of a Minor. This crime specifically refers to the act of using the internet or other electronic means to engage in conversation or to solicit sexual conduct with a minor, which includes individuals who are under the age of consent, typically defined as someone younger than 17 years in many jurisdictions.

Online Solicitation of a Minor is designed to address the dangers posed by the internet in allowing adults to make inappropriate advances towards children. When this type of communication involves discussions of a sexual nature directed at a minor as defined by law, it is considered a serious offense that seeks to protect children from potential abuse or exploitation.

In contrast, other options like Sexual Assault relate directly to physical acts of sexual violence rather than communication alone. Pandering typically involves persuading someone to engage in prostitution or sexual acts for commercial gain, and Child Pornography involves the creation, distribution, or possession of explicit images of minors, which does not apply to mere communication. Thus, the focus on online solicitation underscores the specific legal parameters surrounding interactions with minors in online settings.