Sexting
Sexting is when someone shares sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexually explicit messages.They can be sent using mobiles, tablets, smartphones, laptops - any device that allows you to share media and messages.
Sexting may also be called:
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- trading nudes
- dirties
- pic for pic.
Sexting is a growing concern and young people can be lured in this, thinking it is a normal part of forming a relationship with someone. If a person likes you and respects you, they will not ask you to do this. Even though a lot of young people do it as they think it is harmless, it is illegal and can be very humiliating if the images end up being shared on line with lots of people.
What the law says
Sexting can be seen as harmless, but creating or sharing explicit images of a child is illegal, even if the person doing it is a child. A young person is breaking the law if they:
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- take an explicit photo or video of themselves or a friend
- share an explicit image or video of a child, even if it’s shared between children of the same age
- possess, download or store an explicit image or video of a child, even if the child gave their permission for it to be created.
Find out more about legislation on child abuse images.
Check out this website for more information and get help if you think images have been taken of you.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/14_plus/Need-advice/Selfies-and-sexting/