The View

Online Safety

Online Safety - Advice for Parents

Sharing intimate images may seem like a bit of fun or innocent flirting for young people, particularly those in a relationship. But things can go wrong and it is important that your child understands the consequences. 

The child loses control of the image:

  • Once an image is shared, it can be copied and saved by others, shared with people the sender does not know and posted on social media and public websites. 
  • Images can be extremely difficult to remove and the consequences can follow a young person into adulthood.

Things can go wrong even in a trusted relationship or friendship:

  • A friend or partner may, on impulse and without thinking, share an image more broadly than the sender intended. 
  • Sometimes when a relationship breaks down there may be an intent to humiliate an ex-partner or friend. This is image-based abuse.

Images may not always be sent willingly:

  • Young people may be forced or pressured into sending explicit images or videos.   https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/sending-nudes-sexting
  • This may be a particular risk when communicating on a dating site or with strangers whose real motives might not be known or understood. 
  • Even young people who know each other may experience coercion or pressure to send a nude. 
  • Sometimes sexting can lead to ‘sextortion’ — blackmail with a sexual component — when someone threatens to share an intimate image unless the person in the image pays money or gives into their demands. 

The consequences can be serious. For young people, sharing naked or sexually explicit images might result in:

  • Humiliation, guilt, shame, anger and self-blame — which can lead to ongoing emotional distress, withdrawal from school and family life and in severe cases, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
  • Bullying, teasing and harassment from peers — they may experience bullying, including cyberbullying, if photos are shared around their school community or friendship group.
  • Damage to their reputation — it may impact on their reputation and performance at school, as well as employment opportunities in the future
  • Criminal charges and penalties — it can be a crime when it involves asking for, accessing, creating, possessing and/or sharing sexualised images of people under 18.

How can I minimise the risks to my child?

Talk early, talk often

  • Match your approach to your child’s level of maturity, age and the type of relationship you share with them. Maybe take the opportunity for a chat while you are doing something together, like a long walk or a car trip.
  • Explore what their friends think about sharing nudes. Ask what they think might happen if one of their friend’s nudes went viral, and how it might make their friend feel.
  • Let them know that they can always approach you if they feel pressured to share an image of themselves or if they have shared an image of someone else. Let them know that you will support them.

Promote self-confidence and that it is OK to say ‘no'

  • Explain that they do not have to send intimate images just because others do.
  • Let them know that it is OK to say ‘no’ when someone asks for an intimate photo, even if it is their boyfriend or girlfriend or someone they trust. Respecting their bodies and personal values is important.
  • Talk about ways your child can handle a request for a nude photo. They could respond in funny ways like sending a picture of some noodles or an animal.
  • If the unwanted requests continue, encourage your child to reply with a stern ‘no’.  But if things get aggressive, your child should consider blocking the person and seek support from a trusted adult. It is also a good idea to save screenshots of any abusive or threatening message in case you want to report them later on.

Teach them about consent, personal boundaries and respect for self and others

  • Help them understand the impact of sharing images of others and that they are breaking someone’s trust when they do this without their consent.
  • Talk about what healthy and respectful relationships look like. Mutual respect, trust and consent are important. 
  • Pressure from a boyfriend or girlfriend to share an intimate image is not an example of a respectful relationship.

Talk about the risks — what can go wrong, and the legal issues 

  • Remind them that once an image is shared, it is almost impossible to get it back or control how it is shared. 
  • Point out that images which include identifiable features, such as a person’s face, hair, tattoos, distinctive clothing or jewellery, can carry a higher risk. It may also be possible to identify someone by matching the background of the image to the background of their public profile pic. A school logo on a uniform is a very easy way for people to identify and track young students.

 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us here at the school if you have any questions or concerns. We work best when we all work together.

 

Anthony Peck

e-Learning Manager