Glossary/Content Concerns/Sexting

what is sexting

What is Sexting?

Sexting refers to sending or receiving sexually explicit messages, images, or videos via electronic devices. Among teenagers, it has legal implications — in many jurisdictions, sharing explicit images of minors constitutes distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) regardless of whether the minor consented to taking the image.

Why It Matters for Families

Teenagers often don't realize the legal consequences of sexting, or that images shared with a trusted person can be redistributed without consent. The psychological harm from having intimate images shared — whether through sextortion or relationship breakdown — can be severe and lasting.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • 1References to sending or receiving explicit images with peers or romantic interests
  • 2Receives messages from unknown numbers or contacts at unusual hours
  • 3Seems anxious or secretive about specific conversations
  • 4Is being pressured by a peer or partner to send images

What You Can Do

Have an explicit, non-shaming conversation about the permanence of digital images and the legal implications before your child is in that situation. Establish a clear rule: don't send images you wouldn't want anyone else to see. If an explicit image of your child has been shared, report to NCMEC and contact law enforcement.

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Related Terms

Sextortion
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which someone threatens to share sexual images or videos of a person unless they comply with demands — typically for more explicit content, money, or other favors. It can follow from a romantic deception or from hacking private images.
Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII)
Non-consensual intimate images (NCII), often referred to as revenge porn, is the distribution of private sexual images or videos without the subject's consent. This is a form of sexual abuse and is illegal in most U.S. states and many countries. It includes images that were originally shared consensually within a relationship.
Grooming
Grooming is the process by which an adult builds trust and emotional connection with a child — and often their family — in order to manipulate and exploit them. Online grooming typically involves flattery, gift-giving, shared secrets, and gradually pushing boundaries to normalize inappropriate interactions.
Online Predators
Online predators are adults who use the internet to target and exploit minors, typically through social media, gaming platforms, or messaging apps. They often use deception — pretending to be peers or romantic interests — and build trust through a gradual process called grooming before attempting to exploit children.
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