What does it mean to "sexualize" someone

I was told that cause I accidentally called a 17 year old woman that she is hot, which I mostly did just to be nice
that I was "sexualizing" a child. I barely looked at her pics and we have talked since I apologized to her for any discomfort I caused her and we are cool. I'd definitely wasn't burning in my lust.

I just want to know what that means cause basically I was just trying to tell her she's not ugly.

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awildsheepschase

There are probably other words to use if you barely know someone and you question her age. But I also think, for good reasons, at times we are hypervigilant and all that should matter is that you found understanding since. Words can be judged so much now.