How can sexting affect you?

It’s great to be able to share pictures and videos with your friends online, and see what they’ve been up to. Mobile phones, webcams and digital cameras have made it really easy to do this, and posting things on social networking sites for your friends to see is fun.

Some people, however, might encourage you to send them pictures of yourself naked, or film yourself doing things that you may not be happy about. They may also pressure you to look at indecent pictures of other people they have, and to encourage your friends to get involved.

Once these images have been taken and sent to others, you lose control of them and they can end up anywhere. They can easily be posted on websites such as Facebook and YouTube and be seen by hundreds or even thousands of people. They could be seen by friends and family, a future employer or by someone who might be dangerous and have bad intentions.
 
If you were the one who sent the images in the first place, it can put you in a vulnerable position. Someone you may or may not know could use technology to bully, harass or even try to find where you live. If you wouldn’t pass these images around your school or show your mum or dad, then you don’t want to share them over your mobile phone or your computer.

I’ve sent an image to someone and they've forwarded it on to all their friends, what do I do?

The first thing to remember is this is not your fault. Whoever has sent the picture of you on to their friends has broken your trust.

You should speak to an adult that you trust. This could be your mum, dad, or school teacher. It might seem like a really hard thing to do but it’s important to speak to them as soon as possible. 

If an adult has been making you do things or share pictures of yourself online or by text that you don’t feel comfortable with, you can report them using the ‘CEOP report’ website. It’s important that you know that you haven’t done anything wrong and you won’t get into trouble.

If you are upset or worried by an image you have sent or received, you can call ChildLine and talk to someone in confidence on 0800 1111.

You can also visit www.cybermentors.org.uk for online support and advice about cyber bullying or read more advice about sexting on www.thinkuknow.co.uk.