Think Twice is a campaign led by ESET to help individuals understand the risks associated with sharing explicit content online. We conducted a survey to gain insight into sexting awareness from people of all ages. From the survey results, we can learn more about sexting dangers and how to support people in making informed choices about what they share online.
WHAT IS SEXTING?
Sexting is when people share a sexual message and/or a naked or semi-naked image or video with another person. Children and young people may also refer to this as sharing 'nudes', or ‘pics’. Sexting can be an innocent pastime where we consciously and voluntarily exchange intimate content with a friend or partner. But like any online behaviour, this comes with risks. Once you put it on the internet, you can never reliably delete it again. Something you might share in your younger years may come back to haunt you in the future.
Intimate photos or videos with confidential content can appear online even years later and, in the worst case, can be misused for image-based abuse in bullying or blackmail. Think Twice aims to open up the conversation between parents, teachers, teens, and children on how to navigate online interactions in a safe and responsible way. By raising awareness of the risks involved in sharing intimate images and videos with others online, we can support younger generations to feel confident in their digital interactions.
The latest sexting trends revealed
ESET surveyed 2000 participants1 in the UK to find out their attitudes toward sexting, whether they were aware of the risks, and if they’ve been impacted or been involved in any way.
1 1000 12-17 year olds, and 1000 18+ across the UK.
The impact of sexting on teens in the UK
We explore some of the key findings with psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopulos, about how sexting can impact the younger population and what parents can do to support their children.
Highlights: Watch Dr Linda Papadopoulos and ESET’s Global Cybersecurity Expert Jake Moore discuss why it’s important to Think Twice.
To watch the full podcast with expert advice for parents, click on the button.
Exploring the impact of sexting in the UK
GET INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
Explore our selection of resources to help navigate the digital world and give your children the support they need to feel confident in dealing with their online interactions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From what age can children use social media?
Officially, most social networks are intended for users aged 13 and over. As a rule, the user's age is verified during registration by entering the date of birth.
Why is an age limit on social media important?
It is important for children to indicate their true age when registering. This is because underage users have some features limited for good reasons. In particular, such measures are intended to protect children from inappropriate behaviour by other users and the sharing of excessively confidential information.
Limitions for TikTok users:
- Up to 13 years - They can watch videos without registering, but they can't upload, comment or like their own content. Their data is not collected in any way.
- 13–15 years - The accounts of users under 15 are private by default. They can upload videos and share them, but they're only available to their friends. They can't use the duet or live streaming feature. They can't send or receive direct messages.
- 16-17 years - The account can be public, they can live stream and receive messages. But they can't buy, send, or receive virtual gifts.
Limitations for Snapchat users:
- 13-17 years - Users must add other users to start communication online and are banned from viewing public profiles.
- 13–15 years - The accounts of users under 15 are private by default. They can upload videos and share them, but they're only available to their friends. They can't use the duet or live streaming feature. They can't send or receive direct messages.
- 16-17 years - The account can be public, they can live stream and receive messages. But they can't buy, send, or receive virtual gifts.
Limitations for Facebook users:
- 13-17 years - User’s profiles are automatically set to private and their location setting is turned off.
Where can I find more information about the privacy and safety policies for social networking platforms?
- TikTok: A Guide for Parents
- Snapchat: A Guide for Parents | Tips for Parents
- Messenger Kids: A portal for paents
- Instagram: An Instagram Guide for Parents
How can I manage my child’s online activity?
You can monitor your children's online activity and time with parental control apps. Parental controls can usually be used to control what sites or apps your child can visit and how much time they can spend on something. The app can also block inappropriate content based on your child's age.
Children can also watch the time on their own. On an Android phone, you can find this service in Settings in the Digital Wellbeing tab, on iOS devices in the Screen Time tab.
On some social networks, you can link your account to your child's account. For example, TikTok offers such a feature under the name of Parental Pairing. This allows you to set a limit on screen time, set a "Restricted Mode" where children don't see inappropriate videos, and also allows you to prohibit your child from receiving direct messages.
How can a child’s photo be misused?
Photos of a child can be a means of sextortion, a type of blackmail that involves sexually explicit material, usually photos or videos. The term is a combination of the words sex and extortion. Most often, the blackmailer is someone who has received the photos or obtained them through some manipulation. Typically, it's blackmail like "if you don't send me another video, I'll send a nude photo of you to everyone at school."
How can I support my child to stay safe online?
It is important to regularly discuss the issues of inappropriate advances, sending nude photos and pressure on the Internet with your child. Not in one conversation, but regularly asking if there is anything that makes the child uncomfortable on the Internet. You can read more in this blog here.
Is a parent engaging in illegal behaviour if their minor child acquires and shares intimate content?
Parents can be prosecuted, for example, in cases where the behaviour of children and parents meets the criteria of the criminal offence of endangering the child's upbringing. In other cases, the parents are contacted by the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and a social investigation is carried out in the family.
Is a child engaging in illegal behaviour if they capture and share intimate content?
If intimate material (including one's own) is taken and shared by a person under the age of 18, he or she often does not realise that he or she may be committing a crime (production and other handling of child pornography).
Each case is investigated on a case-by-case basis, focusing on facts that will answer questions about why sexually explicit material was created and then sent to another person.