Why Sexting Isn’t Good

Results of a recent survey tell us that 15% of the 800 respondents (ages 12 to 17) have received sexually explicit photos via their cell phones and four percent have sent out sexually explicit images or videos of themselves to other people. Although these numbers may seem small, that’s still 40 people whose private images may now be under the control of others.

Wanting to share nude or semi-nude photos of yourself with another person may seem like a personal matter and not a big deal. But sharing these types of images, especially in a digital form, can have very big and serious consequences. One of the things to consider is: where will the photos end up? Sending private photos to your partner can seem like a special and intimate act in the moment. But there is the possibility that they could be passed around school or on the internet, especially after a bad break-up. And let’s not forget that with today’s technology, digital images can last forever and continue to haunt people for years to come.

On top of that, there are other possibilities to think about, like getting into serious legal trouble. In some states, sending nude or semi-nude pictures could be illegal and punishable with jail time, especially if the person in the photo is a minor. This can also be true of the person receiving the photos. So while it may seem that a photo is only being shared with one person, in the end there could be more people involved (even the law!) than you ever could have imagined.

Finally, no one should ever pressure you into taking/sharing explicit photos of yourself. Pressuring someone to share nude or semi-nude photos of themselves—or forcing someone to see images they’re not comfortable looking at—is never okay. It can also be abusive.

It’s important to build open, honest and healthy relationships. But sharing private photos may not be the best way, or even legal. Check out our technology and abuse section for more tips and information on how to be safe digitally.