Should I feel pressured into sexting?

Firing up your phone and flashing some flesh may seem like a saucy way of impressing someone you fancy. The problem is, those sexy shots aren’t necessarily going to stay where you want them to. From hacking and grooming to revenge porn and sex offences, sharing steamy selfies can lead to all sorts of trouble.

In this clip from The Complete History of… Sexting Professor Martins interviews sex expert Dr. Rhada Modgil about the dangers of sharing your nude pics online. Want to see the full monty? Catch the full short for free on All 4.

The Naked Truth about Sexting

Want to keep your privates private? Here are the things you need to know to stop your sexy uploads becoming a viral nightmare...

No sexy selfie is safe

Whether it’s through your mobile, IM, Snapchat, webcams, text messages or any other short of digital technology there’s no safe way of sharing your sexy photos. From hackers and bullies to jilted partners, there are loads of ways they can get into the wrong hands.

Technology is vulnerable

Whatever method you use to sext, your content will probably be stored in online servers that may be vulnerable to hackers. In the past, sites have been compromised and the user images stored there have been leaked online (including loads of celebs). Don’t end up like J-Law, keep your personal pics personal.

‘Temporary’ message apps aren’t temporary

There’s no such thing as a ‘self destructing’ message. The notion that posts on apps like Snapchat are temporary and secure is an illusion. There are lots of ways someone can capture your snaps without you even knowing and, once an image is out there, there’s no getting it back.

Even offline isn’t secure

Even if you don’t upload or share your intimate pics they’re still potentially vulnerable. A stolen laptop, hard drive, camera or phone containing sexy shots can become a treasure trove for anyone who wants to use those images against you.

Revenge porn

When relationships do go wrong, people can to do some pretty horrible things out of spite. ‘Revenge porn’ is the term used for when people publicly share intimate images of their partner or ex without their permission, either through text messages, social media posts or through porn sites and forums. At the end of the day the best way to protect yourself is not to make or send sexy images to anyone in the first place, no matter how much you like or trust them.

Beware of the catfish

It’s easy to get duped by people setting up fake social media profiles in order to humiliate, bully, con or blackmail their victims (so-called ‘catfish’ accounts). Be careful about the friendships and relationships you form online, especially if they encourage you to share intimate photos and videos. Can you be sure they really are who they claim to be?

Sexting and the law

Creating or sharing explicit images can get you into serious legal trouble. If you’re caught with explicit images of someone under 18 (even if you’re in a relationship with them, you have their consent and you’re under 18 too) you’re technically in possession of child pornography. The same goes if you forward on images sent to you by others. Meanwhile the UK’s new revenge porn laws could see you facing up to 2 years in jail.

Report it

If you become the victim of revenge porn, catfish fraud or are worried that you are being groomed, contact the police or report the incident on the CEOP website. The law is on your side.