Under 18? Start here

Sexting and Under-18s: The Facts

If you're under 18 and something has happened with a nude or a sexual message, whether you sent it, received it, or it's been shared, this page explains what the law means for you and how to get help. Asking for help won't get you in trouble.

Last reviewed: 9 November 2026

If you need help right now

Talk to Childline: call 0800 1111 or chat at childline.org.uk. It's free, confidential and open 24/7 in the UK. To get a nude of you taken down, use Report Remove. If someone is threatening you or asking for money, don't pay, and tell a trusted adult or report to CEOP.

What does the law say?

In the UK, and in Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it's illegal for anyone to make, send or have a sexual image of someone under 18. That includes a selfie you took yourself, even though the age of consent is 16 in the UK.

The law exists to protect you from adults and from images being used to hurt you. It isn't designed to punish young people. Police in the UK follow guidance to treat young people who share images with each other as needing support, not as criminals. If a nude of you is being shared, or someone is pressuring or threatening you, you are the victim and you won't get in trouble for asking for help.

What's happened?

Someone wants me to send nudesHow to say no, what to say back, and what to do if they keep pushing. A nude of me is online or being sharedHow to get it removed, confidentially. Someone is threatening me or wants moneyDon't pay. Here's what to do. Someone sent me a nudeWhat to do with it, and what not to do. I sent a nude and I'm worriedWhat happens next, and how to take back control. Someone made a fake nude of meAI and edited images, and how to get them removed.

I sent a nude and I'm worried

Lots of young people have been where you are. Here's what you can do:

  • Ask them to delete it. If you trust them, ask clearly in writing, and ask them to check cloud backups too.
  • Don't send any more, even if they ask, even if they're nice about it.
  • Use Report Remove if you think it's been shared or might be. It can block the image even before it's posted. How it works.
  • Tell someone you trust: a parent, carer, teacher, school counsellor or Childline.
  • If they threaten you, stop replying, keep the messages and get help. Threatening you is a crime.

Someone sent me a nude

  • Don't forward it or show anyone. Sharing it is illegal and can really hurt the person in it.
  • Don't screenshot it or save it. Delete it from your phone, including "Recently deleted" folders.
  • If it's from an adult, or you didn't want it, tell a trusted adult and report it to the app. If an adult is sending you sexual messages, report it to CEOP.
  • If it's of someone you know and it's being passed around, tell a teacher or trusted adult, so they can help the person in it.

Warning signs of grooming and sextortion

Be careful if someone online...

  • says they're your age but you've never seen them on a live video call
  • gets sexual very quickly, or sends you a nude first to "make it fair"
  • gives you compliments, gifts, game credit or money
  • asks you to keep your chats secret, or to move to another app
  • asks what you're wearing, or for photos of you
  • gets angry, guilt-trips you, or threatens you when you say no

UK police and the National Crime Agency have warned schools that organised criminal gangs target teenagers, especially boys aged 14 to 18, for sextortion. They pose as a girl, get an image and demand money within minutes. If that's happened to you, it's not your fault, and it's more common than you think. Read the sextortion guide.

Will I get in trouble?

If you've been pressured, threatened, or had an image shared, no. You're the one who needs protecting. If you shared an image with someone your own age because you both wanted to, schools and police focus on keeping you safe and getting the image removed, not on punishing you. Police can record an incident without taking any action ("Outcome 21"). The people who face serious consequences are adults involved with under-18s, and anyone who shares images to hurt someone.

Who can help?

  • Childline (UK): 0800 1111, childline.org.uk. Free, confidential and 24/7
  • CEOP (UK): ceop.police.uk, if an adult is contacting you sexually
  • Shout (UK): text SHOUT to 85258, any time
  • Ireland: Childline (ISPCC), 1800 66 66 66
  • US: Take It Down (NCMEC), and call or text 988 if you're in crisis
  • Australia: Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800, and esafety.gov.au
  • Canada: Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868, and NeedHelpNow.ca
  • New Zealand: Netsafe, and Youthline, 0800 376 633
  • South Africa: Childline, 116

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).

More for young people and parents

Sexting and under-18s: the factsWhat the law says, what to do if a nude of you is out there, and where to get help.Being pressured to send nudesHow to say no, what to say back, and why it's never your fault.How to remove a nude of you (under 18)Report Remove, Take It Down and other tools to get images taken down.A parent's guide to sextingHow to talk about it, and what to do if your child has sent, received or shared nudes.Sexting incidents: guidance for schoolsHow schools and colleges should respond when nudes are shared.

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