Sexting is sending an explicit image or video of yourself to somebody else. It can also be called ‘pic for pic’ or ‘nude selfies’. Once you send an image/video you no longer have control of it, it could be posted online or shared with others. Remember that even if you use a webcam or an app like Snapchat to share it, somebody could take a screenshot of it. Sexting can also leave you exposed to potential bullying and blackmail.

We understand that some conversations can be awkward but it’s important to chat to your child about the potential risks of sharing explicit images, the law and where they can get help. Perhaps start the conversation by relating it to something in the news. Ask them why they think people do it and if they have ever seen it happen in school. Emphasise that they should never feel pressure to share images of themselves and that they should never share images of others. Ensure that they know they can talk to you if anything ever goes wrong.

Whilst sexting can be seen by teenagers as harmless fun it is actually illegal to create or share an explicit image, even when the person doing so is a child themselves. It’s important to remember that whilst the age of consent is 16, the age in relation to explicit images is 18. You are breaking the law if you:

• take an explicit photo or video of yourself or a friend.
• share an explicit image or video of a child.
• possess, download or store an explicit image or video of a child.

If under-18s are found to be engaging in sexting, then whilst the matter will be investigated, police can choose to record that a crime has been committed but that taking formal action isn't in the public interest.
ChildLine have created ‘Zip-It’ which your child can use to help them if someone is trying to pressure them into sexting: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/

Need help? How to report

Stay calm! If your child talks to you about an incident then you may be shocked but it is important to remain calm and listen to your child. Try to find out who the image has been sent to and who it has been shared with. Ask your child to delete any images from their phone and any social media accounts (if they have uploaded them to there). You can also do the following:

Report to any individual sites where possible and ask then to remove the image.
If you need help in getting a sexual image of your child removed from the internet, you can get in contact with Childline or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
If your child is being threatened as a result of sharing a sexual image or someone online is asking your child to share an image then you should report it to CEOP: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

Your child can use the Childline ‘Report Remove’ tool: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/report-nude-image-online/

Further information

There’s lots more advice available about sexting here:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/sexting/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Has-your-child-shared-a-nude-selfie-subtitled/
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/hot-topics/sexting
https://parentinfo.org/article/when-teens-share-nudes