You’ve shared a nude, or been sent one

This is because creating and sharing sexual images of under-18s is against the law – even if they’re of yourself. 

This can be hard to wrap your head around. You can consent to having sex from 16, and it’s your body, so you should be able to do what you like with it, right? 

Well, yes, it is your body, but the aim of the law is to help you keep your body private and safe from harm. For more information, see our sex and the law section.

Sex and the law

Find out what the law says about sex and what this means for you.

Read more

Once you share a nude, you lose control of where it goes. It could be sent to other people. Or it could be posted online without your consent or sometimes without you even knowing. 

Before you make a decision on whether to send a nude, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions.

• Why am I thinking about sending this image? Do I really want to send it, or do I feel pressured? Am I sending it for myself or for someone else?
• How would I feel if this person threatened to share my image with other people? 
• Would I show this much of myself to this person face to face? Or is there something about sending a nude online that feels less personal?
• If I share this nude, how will I feel about it in a month? Three months? What about a year?
• Are there other ways I can feel close to the other person, or intimate with them, without putting myself at risk? 

Asking these questions can help you think about some of the consequences of sharing a nude. 

Or perhaps the image has already been shared around. Realising that someone has done this is really difficult. You’re likely to feel embarrassed, angry and betrayed. But remember that it’s not your fault – it’s the responsibility of the person (or people) who passed the nude on.

DISCOVER

If you’ve sent a nude of yourself to others, here are some things you can do to protect yourself

Ask for it to be deleted

Ask for it to be deleted

Ask for it to be deleted

Explain to the person you sent the photo or video to that you’re not comfortable with them keeping it and ask them to delete it.

Don’t reply to threats

Don’t reply to threats

Don’t reply to threats

Sometimes people will say that if you don’t send them more pictures they will share your nude with other people or post it online. This can be really scary, but it’s important that you don’t reply to these threats or send any more photos. This can help you to keep control.

Talk to someone you trust

Talk to someone you trust

Talk to someone you trust

• Going through something like this can be really difficult, especially if you’re being threatened, or if your nude has been shared without your consent, or might be.
• It’s okay to ask for help. Talk to an adult you trust about how you’re feeling and ask them to help you get the right support. For support and advice, you can also contact us on our chat service, or send us an email. You don’t have to tell us who you are.

Use Report Remove tool

Use Report Remove tool

Use Report Remove tool

If you’re under 18 and a nude photo or video of you has been shared online, Childline and the IWF can help you get it taken down. Find out how here.

Report what’s happened 

Report what’s happened 

Report what’s happened 

If you’re under 18 and you’re worried or being threatened you can make a report to CEOP. If you make a report, it isn’t confidential – that means they might need to tell someone else about it, such as the police. But it does mean that they can help to stop what’s happening.

This can happen when you’re in a relationship with the person. Or sometimes you might be sent nudes by someone you don’t know well, or a stranger.

Sometimes people send on nudes of other people because they think it’s funny. They might also be worried about another person, and share a nude image with a friend so they can work out what to do. 

At other times, people send on sexual pictures or videos of someone because they’ve fallen out with them or want to upset or embarrass them. This is sometimes called “revenge porn”. 

If you’ve been sent a nude, think about the following:

• Is this picture or video legal? Remember, any sexual image of someone under 18 is illegal.
• What might happen to the person in the image if others see it?
• How might the person in the image feel about it being shared?
• Is the person in the image in any danger?
• How can I be kind to this person?

If you’ve been sent a sexual picture or video of someone who’s under 18, do not keep it or send it to anyone else. 

This includes sending it to a friend or adult you think might be able to help. 

If you think the person in the picture might be harmed in any way, speak to an adult you trust who can help you report this to the police.