Before you say age is just a number, consider dating someone older than you by the exact number of years you are older than your target.
If you still think age is just a number after that, then you should actually go with the older option.
Teenagers of every generation will always find and create their vices. Hopefully, they don’t cross over into areas of illegality.
Adults taking advantage of their naivety, inquisitiveness, and power imbalance meanwhile will always be morally and legally wrong.