Sexting
Cybersmart poster - 'Some things were never meant to be shared'
Sharing hot photos or text messages may seem fun and harmless, but you could be breaking the law by sending, receiving or forwarding pictures.
Once you’ve sent a picture or message, it’s out of your control and could turn up anywhere, any time and any place.
There’s no such thing as safe sexting—it can be used by others for cyberbullying, cyberstalking or sexual harassment.
Be careful who you trust—that photo is forever but is he/she?
Once images and messages are sent they can often spread rapidly. If images are posted online it can be almost impossible to remove them or to control access to them.
How do I protect myself from the complications of sexting?
Sharing hot photos or text messages may seem fun and harmless, but you could be breaking the law by sending, receiving or forwarding pictures
- Manage your own messages and images—detag asap
- Think before you send or post—it could be online forever
- Delete any sexting you receive
- Don’t forward anything on—you’re just as guilty
- Set your privacy settings—some things were never meant to be shared
- Remember that a relationship breakup is no justification for sexting
- Be careful of what and who you photograph—consider the feelings of others
- Report to a trusted adult
- Go to http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/teens.aspx
- Get help from Kids Help Line http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/report.aspx
What is sexting?
Sending provocative or sexual photos, images, messages or videos using a mobile phone or posted online.
Sexting may seem funny or flirty but there are serious social and legal consequences, particularly if you’re under 18.
Legal implications of sexting
Under Australian law, sexting can have legal consequences if the images taken and shared are of minors. Even if all participants are willing, teens may be breaking the law if they take and share naked or sexual images of themselves or others who are minors. This is because sexting images may be considered child pornography.
Call: 1800 880 176
Email: cybersafety@acma.gov.au
Follow: @CybersmartACMA
Like: acmadotgov
How Cybersmart are you?