What counts as sexting?
Sexting includes sending or receiving sexual images, videos, or messages. Even suggestive images can count, depending on context. For minors, any sexual image of a child is legally considered abuse material, regardless of intent.
Why is it illegal for minors to send intimate images?
The law exists to protect children from exploitation and long-term harm. Once an image exists, it can be shared beyond control. Even when teens willingly send images, the risks are significant and often lifelong.
Should my child save messages or delete them?
Saving messages is important when there is harm, pressure, or threats. Evidence helps adults intervene effectively. Deleting should only happen after guidance from a trusted adult or professional.
Should my child block or report someone online?
Blocking can stop immediate contact, but reporting is important when there is harassment, sexual content, threats, or repeated behavior. Teach your child to save evidence first. Reassure them that reporting is about safety, not getting someone “in trouble.”
Can my child get in trouble for having a picture someone else sent them?
Children often fear blame. In most cases, the focus is on stopping harm, not punishing recipients. This is why involving trusted adults early matters.
What should I do if my child sees something scary or upsetting online?
Start by listening without minimizing. Ask what they saw and how it made them feel. Remind them that the internet can expose people to things they didn’t choose. If needed, take breaks from the platform and provide reassurance and grounding before problem-solving.
What if the picture was sent as a joke?
Intent does not erase harm. Sexual images can cause real emotional and legal consequences, even when framed as humor. Take the situation seriously while staying calm.
What should I do if someone is threatening my child with their photos?
This is sextortion. Do not engage with the perpetrator. Save evidence and seek help immediately. Reassure your child that threats rely on fear and silence, and that support reduces harm.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual comments, jokes, gestures, messages, or images. It’s defined by how the behavior is received, not the intent behind it.
Should my child seek help even if alcohol was involved?
Yes, being drunk does not mean that someone is at fault for sexual violence they experience, and an aggressor being drunk does not absolve them of responsibility. Law enforcement best practice is to prioritize the report of sexual violence and not charge the reporting individual with underage drinking as long as they were not putting […]