In short
Consensual sexting between adults is legal in Northern Ireland. It is a crime to send an unwanted sexual image, to share or threaten to share a private sexual image without consent, and to make, send or have sexual images of anyone under 18.
Sending an unwanted sexual image (cyberflashing)
What it covers: intentionally sending someone an image of genitals or of sexual activity without their consent, either to cause humiliation, alarm or distress or for sexual gratification.
The same 2022 Act also created offences of upskirting and "downblousing" (taking images down someone's top without consent).
Sharing private sexual images
What it covers: disclosing a private sexual photo or film of someone without their consent, intending to cause them distress, or threatening to do so.
Maximum penalty: 2 years in prison.
Unlike England and Wales, the Northern Ireland offence still requires an intention to cause distress. Sharing for a "joke" or to show off can be harder to prosecute under this section, although other offences may apply.
Deepfakes
The Northern Ireland definition of a private sexual image does not clearly cover images that have been altered or generated by AI. In July 2025 the Department of Justice consulted on new offences of creating, requesting, sharing and threatening to share sexually explicit deepfakes of adults. At the time of writing these had not yet become law. Deepfakes of under-18s are already illegal under child protection law.
Under-18s
The age of consent in Northern Ireland is 16, but images of 16 and 17-year-olds are still covered. Under the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, it is also an offence for an adult to send sexual communications to a child or to arrange to meet a child after grooming.
As in the rest of the UK, the PSNI aims to safeguard young people who share images with each other consensually rather than prosecute them.
Other relevant law
- Blackmail (Theft Act (NI) 1969, s.20): up to 14 years.
- Harassment (Protection from Harassment (NI) Order 1997).
- Domestic abuse offence (Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021): covers using images to control or humiliate a partner.
- Improper use of a public electronic communications network (Communications Act 2003, s.127).
Where to get help in Northern Ireland
- PSNI: 101, or 999 in an emergency
- Revenge Porn Helpline: 0345 6000 459 (adults, UK-wide)
- Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040 (covers Northern Ireland)
- Childline: 0800 1111 and the Report Remove tool for under-18s
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK), 112 (Ireland/EU), 911 (US/Canada) or 000 (Australia).
- Images shared or threatened (adults, UK): Revenge Porn Helpline, revengepornhelpline.org.uk or 0345 6000 459
- Stop images spreading (worldwide, adults): StopNCII.org
- Under 18: Childline's Report Remove tool at childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111. Outside the UK: Take It Down
- More countries and services: see our help and support directory
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the facts of each case. We last checked this page on 9 November 2026. If you are facing a police investigation or court case, speak to a solicitor or lawyer where you live.