Pedophiles go after kids, which is the most disgusting crime in the world.
Going after a 15 y/o is not a pedophile - it's still illegal and creepy but it falls under a different name.
Before anyone says that I am defending him - I am not. But it's important to use words correctly or they will lose their meaning.
I get what you're saying. Feels like we need a different word for this. While this is wrong in every single way, it's a very different class of crime compared to going after babies or toddlers (fucking blows my mind every time I think there are people that are into this).
It kind of waters down the meaning of the word, as you said.
It's like how a 17 year old guy having sex with his 16 year old girlfriend can get branded a sex predator. Why ruin that guy's life over this? Or people who get caught urinating in public can be charged under sex crime laws in certain states. Really? Are you going to say someone who pissed in public is the same as someone who raped a kid?
I get your sentiment. What this guy did is wrong, wrong, wrong, but I feel like people like him need a different label.
A pedo that goes after really young kids I could tear apart with my own hands. If one were to touch my niece or nephews, I'd put a bullet in their heads without hesitation. But this Sony dude? Meh, charge him sure. He's committed a crime. But it doesn't make my blood boil or anything.