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What is sexting?

The word is a mix of ‘sex and ‘texting’. ‘Sexting’ is sending ‘sexy’ texts. The texts may be words or images. Sexting with pictures has probably been around as long as mobile phones have had the ability to take photos and send and receive images. Sexting occurs not only on mobile phones, but on Skype and social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr and Snapchat etc.

What are the consequences of ‘sexting’?

sextingTaking, sending or receiving sexual images of a minor is illegal. If you're found to have a naked or semi-naked photo of someone under 18 on your phone or your computer, you can be charged with a criminal offence. If you forward the photo to someone else you can be charged with a criminal offence even if you delete it from your own phone. You can be charged even if it is a photo of yourself and you agree to the photo being sent.

Remember that everything you send might become public. Think how easy it is to forward a photo or a message. Social media sites make it even easier to post stuff quickly, as well as more difficult for you to have control over who gets the images and where they go, and it can be incredibly difficult to have the images removed.

Once you've sent something you can't get it back. Think about your future and how you might like people to see you. Maybe you will try to get a job, or join a sports team, or fall in love with someone else. You probably won't want these future relationships jeopardised because you once, sent a sexualised image to someone to try and hook up with them.

Think about how the person receiving the text will feel. Maybe they do not want you sending them these types of messages or images. This sort of communication is not always welcome and can be highly embarrassing for the person sending the message as well as the recipient. You might think what you have sent is ‘sexy’, however the person receiving it may feel it is abusive and/or pornographic.

What you can do

If you have sent an image or text and you are worried about what might happen now, there are some things that you can do to try and make sure that your texts don't get passed on and/or you don't get accused of sending inappropriate things:

  • You may have sent it to your boyfriend or girlfriend; if so, consider asking them to delete the message from their phone or inbox
  • If you have sent an image or text that you feel is now out of your control, talk to a trusted adult or contact a Kids Helpline counsellor to work out what you can do.

You could feel you are being pressured to send them. Remember, like any form of sexual behaviour you have the right to say ‘No’ and to let them know that you are serious.

If someone sends you a ‘sexy’ image:

  • Do not forward the image to anyone - consider what this could mean to the person involved
  • If the text is from a friend, tell them you do not want any more texts like that from them

Remember, don't be pressured into doing something you don't want to do. We're not just talking about sexting now. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, and you're really not OK with something, then don't do it.

Talk to your parents, another adult that you trust or Kids Helpline. If you've got yourself in a mess, they might be able to help you out of it.

Some helpful links

There are some really helpful websites you can go to for information if you are receiving messages that you feel uncomfortable about:

Reviewed: May 2014