Depending on age and state laws, sharing nudes and sexting can be illegal. In addition, once an intimate image is sent it’s out of your hands.
It’s important to talk about consent early and often, especially with children. This will help them make safe choices online. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, speak up!
1. They’re a form of objectification
When people see nudes of other people, especially if those images are taken at a private location and are not explicit, it is considered sexual objectification. Even if a person is only shown parts of their body, they are still being objectified in that they are viewed as something to be leered at and admired.
Nude photos are often sent as a form of sexting, which is when people send messages with sexual content. Sexting can be done between friends, partners, acquaintances and strangers. Nude pictures can also be shared in online chats or on social media. These types of pictures can be saved and screenshotted, so they may be seen even after the original message is sent.
Some people will share their nudes to get attention or as a way to start a relationship. Others will do it because they enjoy seeing other people’s bodies and think it is a turn on. Regardless of the reason, if someone is being pressured into sending nudes, they should know that it is not okay. Depending on age and the state you live in, it could be against the law.
There has been limited research on why people are motivated to send nudes, especially compared to other reasons for sexting like “to flirt with someone” or “to hook up.” Modifying existing measures of sexting and including an item on whether the person is being pressured into sending a nude could shed light on this issue.
2. They’re a form of abuse
Nudes, sexts and other explicit content are often sent without consent – this is known as image-based abuse. If your child finds out that an intimate picture or video of them has been shared online – or if someone is threatening to share one – they should talk to a trusted adult for help and support. It can be extremely upsetting and scary to find out that an intimate photo has been shared and it may affect their relationship with the person who did it, so it’s important for them to know they are not alone.
Sexual nudes are often used as a form of harassment and intimidation, especially by people who are not your child’s friends, family or acquaintances. It’s important for your child to understand that they should never send a naked photograph of themselves or anyone else and to always delete any unwanted images or videos immediately. If they are being harassed by someone they can block them on their device or computer using their settings and report them to a safe adult.
It’s also worth remembering that sexting can be illegal depending on your age, state and the content being sent. Even if your child’s partner isn’t a predator, they can still get in trouble for sending explicit content if it gets forwarded or shared on social media. This could have a negative impact on their future career.
3. They’re a form of coercion
The nude body is a sexually arousing sight for most people. This is why it’s common for sex to be celebrated in images, although this type of communication is not necessarily healthy or safe and can cause a lot of damage. While many people sext each other for fun or to create sexual fantasies, it can be dangerous if you don’t know your partner well enough. Sexting can lead to feelings of insecurity and jealousy, which is why it’s important to only send sexual images to people that you trust. Sadly, this isn’t always the case and people who have access to nudes can use them against you.
In our research, we found that girls reported being threatened or coerced into sharing intimate digital images by adults and other young people. This is called image-based sexual coercion, harassment and abuse and can be devastating. This is often overlooked in conversations around sexting and the focus is usually on promoting abstinence and caution as the best solution.
If your child shares an intimate image or video with someone that they don’t intend on keeping it private and they find out that it’s being shared, have a conversation with them. Explain that the person is violating their rights and that they should not have to feel uncomfortable about their safety online. It’s also worth exploring with them ways that they can report their experience through the service or app that was used to send it and to contact a support service like Youthline, Lifeline or Safe to Talk.
4. They’re a form of pressure
When someone sends you a nude picture or video without your consent, it’s called sexual harassment. This can happen when you’re chatting online or using apps like Tinder, Grindr or Blendr. It can also happen if you’re texting, phoning or contacting people you meet through social media.
It’s important to talk with your children about this issue and teach them how to say no if they’re asked for a nude photo or if they receive one that’s been shared without their consent. You can start the conversation by showing them a real-life story from the news or sharing eSafety’s stories with them. You can also use this resource from NSPCC Learning to help you.
Some people who are in unhealthy relationships may be pressured into sending or receiving sexts by their partner. In a study of 207 young women, researchers found that the most common reason that they had sent nudes was because their partner asked them to. Other reasons included wanting to get attention, long distance/separation and validation. It was less common for young men to report this type of reason.
If someone makes you feel pressured to share a nude image or video, it’s important to report them in the app or service they used. You can also report them to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation. This can help keep them safe and stop them from being subjected to any further harm or abuse.
5. They’re a form of blackmail
Many young people connect with friends online, whether it’s chatting, sharing photos or videos or using dating apps. This kind of interaction can lead to some serious problems. One of the most dangerous is sexual exploitation.
It can happen when someone sends a sexually explicit photo or video and then threatens to share it with other people if you don’t comply with their demands. This is called sextortion. It’s often done by a stranger, but it can also be done by a former romantic partner or even by someone who has just been hacked. They claim they have a nude photo or video of you and threaten to release it to your friends and family.
Sexual images and videos aren’t just sent on Snapchat, they can be shared via AirDrop or Nearby Share or in an email. There’s no guarantee they won’t end up on a weird internet chat room or be screenshotted. It’s important to teach your child that what they put online isn’t just for them but could be seen by anyone, including strangers.
Depending on your state and your age, it’s against the law to record or share intimate images without a person’s consent. This applies to nudes as well as pictures of a private body part, like the face or genitals. It’s especially important to remember that if you’re under 18, you could be violating child pornography laws if you share a nude with an adult.
6. They’re a form of sex exploitation
Nude photos are a form of sex exploitation, and they can be especially harmful to young people. It’s illegal to share sexual pictures of anyone under 18 in the UK, and it can be a crime when done without consent. This includes when young people are sexting with a parent, teacher or trusted friend. It’s also illegal to use someone’s sexts against them in any way (including posting nudes publicly online, blackmailing them for money or threatening to do something they don’t want to).
Sexting is fine when both people involved are willing to give their consent, but it can become dangerous when the power dynamics change. Once a person has a nude picture or video of someone else they will feel entitled to it, whether that’s sharing it with their friends for bragging rights, using it against them during arguments or even blackmailing them. In many cases these unhealthy partners are not just harassing their victims, they’re attempting to cause long-term harm and may be putting them in danger of becoming a victim of child sexual exploitation (paedophiles).
If someone is pressuring you or making you feel like you have to send a nude photo it’s not OK. You can speak to a Childline counsellor about how you feel and they can help you report it to the police if you need to. It’s also important to know that there are ways to keep yourself safe while sexting, and you can block people who don’t want to stop.