Sexting

Sexting is when someone shares sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexual messages. There are several safeguarding concerns that could arise from this, and if image-based sexting involves children and young people under 18 it is illegal. 

Sexting and adults:

Consensual sexting between adults is legal and can be part of a healthy relationship. Sexting is illegal and constitutes harm and abuse for adults when:

• the person is pressured or coerced into creating or sending sexual images, nudes, or messages.  
• the person is sent sexual images, nudes or messages without their consent. 
• the person does not have the capacity to consent to creating, sending or receiving these images or messages. 
• sexual images, nudes, or messages are shared with others without their consent. 
• a person’s image is used to generate sexual images or nudes using Artificial Intelligence (AI).   

There are various laws that cover these harms. For example, unwanted messages that use sexually explicit language or messages could fall under laws related to harassment, malicious communications, and online harm. The Online Safety Act 2023 introduced the offence of online indecent exposure, sometimes known as ‘cyberflashing’.

Sexting and children: 

Creating, possessing, or sharing sexual images of anyone under 18 is illegal. These images are termed ‘indecent images of children’. This is true whether the image is taken and shared by the person themselves or somebody else. 

Even within a consenting relationship, sexting between young people under 18 that involves taking, sending and receiving indecent images is against the law and can carry long-term consequences. 

A child may be groomed, pressured or coerced into creating and sending indecent images as part of an experience of abuse or exploitation. 

Sending nude, semi-nude or sexualised images to a child could also be part of the grooming process. 

Images can be used to control or threaten a child. 

Real or AI generated (deep fake) images can be used as part of cyberbullying, harassment or hate crime. 

Sexual communication of any kind with a child under 16 is illegal. This includes messages that involve only words and no images.

Responding well

If someone tells you about harm they have experienced through sexting, listen actively, respond calmly and without judgement, and find out what they would like to happen next.

Make a record of the concern. 

Pass on any safeguarding concerns you have about a child or adult at risk to your Safeguarding Lead 

Pass on any concerns about the behaviour or communication of someone who holds a Position of Trust. 

Crimes should be reported to the Police and online crimes that involve children should be reported to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. 

If someone under 18 is concerned about an image of themselves being shared online, they can use Childline’s Report Remove tool to confidentially report the image and have it taken down. 

If appropriate, talk with children and young people about sexting so they are fully informed about the law and aware of the risks involved.