 The terminology applied to the practice is a subject of dispute . The United States Department of Justice states , " The term itself implies the idea of choice , when in fact that is not the case . " Groups that oppose the practice believe that the terms " child prostitution " and " child prostitute " carry problematic connotations because children are generally not expected to be able to make informed decisions about prostitution . As an alternative , they use the terms " prostituted children " and " the commercial sexual exploitation of children " . Other groups use the term " child sex worker " to imply that the children are not always " passive victims " . 
