What Is Sexting? What Are The Risks? | Stay Safe | Netsafe

What is sexting?

Sexting is the act of sending, receiving or sharing sexually explicit messages, images or videos, typically through mobile devices or online platforms. Sexting often involves the exchange of intimate content between individuals which can include:

Naked pictures or "nudes"
Underwear shots
Sexual or 'dirty' pics
Sexual text messages or videos

It's important to never feel pressured into sexting or sending someone something you don't want to share. Once you send a nude it becomes much harder to control what happens to it so you should think before you nude.

If your nudes have been shared without your consent you can make a report to Netsafe.

We can give you support and advice on next steps to get the content removed and taken down.

Report online

Email [email protected]

Text 'Netsafe' to 4282

Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends

New Zealanders overseas can call +64 9 666 0840

Why do people sext or send nude images?

People send nudes for many reasons, including:

Feeling like 'everyone else is doing it', even if they're not – some may exaggerate or boast about sending photos.
Going along with something uncomfortable out of fear of being seen as 'not sexy' or 'shy'.
Being bullied, threatened, or blackmailed into sending pictures.
Wanting someone's approval or affection.
Feeling like they owe their partner or being made to feel guilty.
Being in love and trusting their partner completely.
Having a long-distance or online relationship and wanting to maintain a sexual connection.
Feeling proud of their body and wanting to share it with others.

The Bare Facts is a campaign developed by rangatahi, Netsafe and Classification Office Te Mana Whakaatu about the risks of taking and sharing nude images. Visit the dedicated website here(https://netsafe.org.nz/barefacts/).

Before you hit 'send' when sexting...

If you're considering sending nudes here are a few things to think about:

Was it your idea? If you're uncomfortable, choose another way to express yourself that doesn't put you at risk
Where could it end up? Once sent, it's harder to control where the image goes. If someone shares your nudes without consent it is never your fault, but understanding the risks is important.

If your nude is being shared

If someone has shared a nude or nearly nude image or video of you without consent, this is considered image-based abuse(/online-abuse-and-harassment/image-based-abuse) and can be a criminal offence in New Zealand.

You should consider the following steps:

Screenshot the content(/online-abuse-and-harassment/how-to-record-digital-evidence) and record the page links (URLs). Follow our advice on how to record digital evidence here.(/online-abuse-and-harassment/how-to-record-digital-evidence)
Report the content to the platform(/social-media-safety) to request removal.
Report the profile or account of the person who shared the content.
Contact Netsafe for advice and support.

You may find our advice on 'how to record digital evidence(/online-abuse-and-harassment/how-to-record-digital-evidence)' helpful if you need to screenshot or capture evidence of your nude being shared.

If you have copies of the intimate images/videos that are being shared or you are being threatened with, you can limit the chances of these being shared online by contacting StopNCII(https://stopncii.org/). StopNCII.org also accepts synthetic images (deep fakes(/online-abuse-and-harassment/understanding-deep-fakes)) and deals with them in the same way as genuine content.

StopNCII will generate a digital fingerprint, called a hash, of the images/videos on your device. STOPNCII shares the hash with Industry Partners(https://stopncii.org/partners/industry-partners/) (including all major social media platforms) so they can help detect and remove the images/videos from being shared online. Watch how StopNCII works(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0HAC1Ndbb0). This is a free service for anyone over 18.

If you’re under 18, you can use takeitdown.ncmec.org(https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/) – a similar free online tool that helps prevents the intimate images or video being shared on platforms such as Instagram(/social-media-safety/instagram), Facebook(/social-media-safety/facebook), TikTok(/social-media-safety/tiktok), Snapchat(/social-media-safety/snapchat), OnlyFans and Pornhub. This tool can also be used for synthetic images (deep fakes(/online-abuse-and-harassment/understanding-deep-fakes)) which are dealt with in the same way as genuine content.

Worried about something you've shared?

If you have sent a nude to someone and now regret it, you should contact that person and ask them to delete it as soon as possible.

Although it can be challenging to control what happens to an image once sent, an honest conversation can help prevent further sharing.

Been sent an image you didn't ask for?

Receiving unwanted nudes can be upsetting, especially for young people. Consider talking to the sender and asking them to stop.

You can also report the content or block the sender:

For more information and advice on unsolicited nudes(/online-abuse-and-harassment/unsolicited-nudes) check out our advice and guidance.

Contact Netsafe

If you're experiencing online abuse, fallen victim to a scam, or need some advice about another online issue, Netsafe is here to support you.

Our helpline is free, confidential and non-judgmental - providing expert advice and assistance seven days a week.

How can Netsafe help?

Netsafe can assist in getting content removed and discuss other options available to you. If you're being threatened or blackmailed with intimate images, we can advise you on what actions to take.

Report online

Email [email protected]

Text 'Netsafe' to 4282

Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends

New Zealanders overseas can call +64 9 666 0840

If you need any additional support you can reach out to the following free, confidential services: