Digital Romance -
Sending nudes

The digital world has changed the way we experience love, intimacy and connection. It’s made it easier to meet new people and form relationships.

Digital relationships might include: Flirting, Sexting, Talking, Control & Abuse and even Breaking up. There are pros and cons to digital relationships.

Pros

  • We can connect with more people.
  • We can connect with people all over the world.
  • We can stay connected more easily.
  • It makes life easier as there are fewer restrictions.
  • It can be a great way to establish and maintain healthy relationships.
  • We have time to think before we respond.
  • We might feel more confident to chat or flirt online rather than face to face.

Cons

  • It can be hard to know if people you are connecting with are who they say they are.
  • It’s difficult to interpret tone and intention with messages.
  • Constantly staying connected can be harmful, especially if someone is in an unhealthy relationship.
  • Being online can lead to dis-inhibition effect (feeling that it’s safe to do things that you wouldn’t in person).
  • Digital technologies can be used to monitor and check up on a person.
  • There can be a risk of exploitation and sextortion.

Tips for online relationships…

Sexting is the exchange of sexual messages or images

This might include

  • Creating nudes or semi-nude images
  • Sharing nudes or semi-nude images
  • Forwarding nudes or semi-nude images

 

It is an offence for anyone under 18 to

  • TAKE explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.
  • MAKE explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.
  • SHOW explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.
  • DISTRIBUTE explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.
  • POSSESS explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.
  • PUBLISH explicit images, even if they are you and you consent to do so.

It’s also an offence for someone to share sexual photographs or films with the intent to harm regardless of age.

Check this out…

 

But what if you’ve already sent a nude?

  • Ask the person you sent it to, to delete it.
  • Speak to a trusted adult.
  • Speak to one of our SOS team.

 

If you are worried that the person hasn’t deleted the content, report it! The law is there to protect you.

 

But what is your nudes have been leaked?

  • If the pictures have been posted online- ask whoever posted them to delete them.
  • If they won’t take them down contact the social network site. They should remove them as it is illegal to have images of under 18’s online.
  • Use the REPORT REMOVE TOOL using the link below. This will help you to report an image or video that has been shared and get support in getting it removed.

 

Remember…

 

  • No one should ever feel pressured to send nudes.
  • You don’t have to send nudes to show you care or that you are committed to someone.
  • If you are asked to send nudes and say no, your partner should respect you and they should understand.
  • If you find it difficult to say no to someone who asks for nudes, you could send a Gif or Meme to say no in a light-hearted way.
  • If a stranger or someone asks for a nude, block and report them so that they can’t continue to contact you.

 

 

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/

If you have any questions or concerns just ask SOS

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