awareness

What is sexting?

Sending someone sexually explicit photographs or messages, whether verbal or in pictures.

The Statistics

• 1 in 7 teens send sexts and 1 in 4 teens receive sexts. 

• Whether it’s on Snapchat, Instagram DM’s, Facebook Messenger, or regular iMessaging or texting, sexting seems to be everywhere. - FTND

What is the Harm of Sexting?

Sexting can be considered child porn.

• By law, minors (anyone under 18) who are caught sending, possessing, or distributing (i.e. sharing with friends) nude pictures, can face major criminal charges. Those are some serious, life-changing problems for a split second decision like pressing ‘send.’

Sending nudes can be an unhealthy addition to any relationship. Objectification isn’t a healthy part of intimacy.

Sexting is linked to revenge porn, harassment, sextortion, and blackmail.

• Think about this, next time you’re asked to press send:  sexts rarely just stay with the recipient. Most share the intended “private” pictures with their friends and even online.

The Bottom Line
Sending and receiving nude/sexual pictures or videos just isn’t a smart idea. Either you’re under 18 and at risk of child pornography charges, or you’re over 18 and at risk of having your photos posted online for the entire world to see…or both. - FTND

What is Sextortion?

Sextortion happens when a person uses coercion to obtain sexual photos, videos, money, or even sex from a victim. Many times, the targets are pre-teens and teens, and they’re not always girls-boys can also be victims. Perpetrators are often current, former, or wannabe romantic or sexual partners attempting to harass, embarrass and control victims. - Protect Young Eyes