"What are the legal and emotional consequences of sexting that teens should be aware of?"

Sexting is common among teens, with 1 in 7 young people sending sexts and 1 in 4 receiving them.

Sexting can have severe legal consequences, depending on age and consent.

In some jurisdictions, minors sexting other minors can be charged with child pornography.

Once an image is sent, the sender loses control over it.

The recipient can share it with others, store it, or distribute it without permission.

Sexting can lead to emotional distress, such as anxiety, guilt, and depression, especially if the image is shared without consent.

Revenge porn, the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, is illegal in many places but still prevalent.

Sextortion, the threat to distribute intimate images to extort money or favors, is a crime and should be reported.

Sexting can negatively impact relationships, causing trust issues, jealousy, and insecurity.

Using secure messaging platforms is essential for sexting, assuming they use end-to-end encryption.

Sexting can be a helpful way to maintain connections and closeness, particularly in long-distance relationships.

Providing explicit but not overly vulgar images can reduce the chance of unwanted distribution or screenshotting.

Consent is crucial in sexting.

Always ensure that the recipient is a willing participant and comfortable with the content.

Discussing and setting boundaries before sexting can help prevent awkward or uncomfortable situations.

Cyberbullying or online harassment can sometimes follow sexting incidents, causing further distress and trauma.

Educating teens and parents about the consequences of sexting is critical, fostering open communication.