What Is Sexting?
An educational tool on the risks of sexting: loss of control, digital permanence, legal consequences and pressure, with a practice quiz.
Loss of control
When you send an intimate photo or video, you lose control over where it ends up: the other person can forward it, post it or use it without your permission, even if they promised not to.
Why does it matter?
Trust at the moment of sending guarantees nothing in the future: relationships that end badly, or stolen or hacked phones, can expose the content anyway.
Risk examples
- Forwarding the content to other groups or contacts without consent
- Posting on social media or adult content sites
- Using the content for memes or mockery ("slut-shaming")
- Leaks due to device theft or hacking
How to protect yourself
- Never share something you wouldn't want anyone to see, forever
- Don't give in to pressure from a partner, even if you trust them today
- Enable screen lock and encryption on your devices
For parents and caregivers
Talk without judging
Explain the risks without shaming: if your child feels judged, they'll stop telling you what happens to them online.
Explain the legal framework
Many teenagers don't know that forwarding a classmate's photo can be a serious crime, even if "everyone does it".
Reinforce consent
Nobody —not even a partner— has the right to pressure or force anyone to share intimate content.
If it already happened, prioritize support
If your child was the victim of non-consensual sharing, the priority is their emotional well-being and acting quickly, not punishment.
For children and teenagers
Think before you send
Once you send something, you lose control: it can be forwarded even if you trust the person who receives it.
Don't forward other people's content
If you receive someone's intimate image, don't forward it or comment on it: delete it and tell an adult.
Nobody can pressure you
If someone insists, threatens or mocks you to get you to send something intimate, that's not a healthy relationship.
Asking for help isn't a punishment
If something was already shared without your permission, telling a trusted adult is the first step to fixing it.
If an intimate image has already been shared without consent
- Don't blame the person in the image: the responsibility lies with whoever shared it without permission.
- Keep evidence (screenshots, links, usernames) before asking for it to be removed.
- Request removal of the content directly on the platform where it was posted.
- Use tools like StopNCII.org to help prevent the image from spreading further.
- Report it to the authorities and seek psychological support if needed.
Where to report and get help (Colombia)
- NCMEC CyberTipline: report.cybertip.org
- ICBF — Helpline for children and teenagers: 141
- National Police — Virtual CAI: caivirtual.policia.gov.co, or emergency line 123
- StopNCII.org — helps prevent the spread of intimate images that have already been shared
Nota
This information is educational and does not replace legal, psychological or police advice. Always check your country's current official channels.