Sharing intimate images and videos with romantic partners or even strangers has become a common practice. Whether you are the one taking the pictures or the one receiving them, it’s possible that those texts could eventually get you in to criminal trouble.
There are a few things that you should be aware of regarding the risks involved with sexting before you fire off a couple of messages to someone else.
You need to make sure the other party is old enough to receive that text
Sending sexually explicit material to someone under the age of 18 can get you in trouble. The same is true of taking photographs of yourself or anyone else who is not yet an adult and sharing those images. Age is a major risk factor when it comes to sexting.
You need to keep private information private
Few things demand privacy the way that naked or sexual images of someone do. If a romantic partner or a prospective romantic partner shares images or videos with you with the understanding that they are for your eyes only, you do not have the right to share those images with anyone else or upload them to the internet. Doing so might run afoul of revenge pornography laws or even leave you open to civil claims by the other party if they suffer any kind of social or financial fallout from your actions.
Think about what the other person actually wants
Sometimes, during flirtations or general communication, one person decides to make the conversation sexual by sending an unsolicited image to the other person. Doing that could not only lead to the other person and in communication with you, but it could also potentially have more significant consequences, depending on when you are when you send the image and where the other person is.
Prioritizing safety is always important when communicating digitally with anyone else, but especially when sharing private or intimate images. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges related to sexting, it’s essential to seek legal guidance.
