Rhian Howells- Children’s Legal Centre Wales
Young people have been telling us that that they have been asked to send nudes and that they were unsure about the rules around sexting. Many were surprised to learn that something as common as being asked for a nude or semi-nude image is actually against the law if you’re under 18.
So, in this blog, we’re breaking down the law in simple terms, explaining your rights, and showing you where to get help.
What does the law say?
In the UK, anyone under the age of 18 is legally considered a child.
That means any nude or semi-nude photo of someone under 18 is classed as an “indecent image of a child” even if the person in the picture took it themselves, and even if everyone involved agreed.
Because of this, the law makes it illegal to:
- Take a nude or semi-nude image of anyone under 18
- Send it
- Receive it (and keep it)
- Share or forward it
This includes photos, videos, and sometimes even images in underwear or ones that are sexual in nature.
Why can I consent to having sex, but I can’t send a flirty photo?
At 16 you can legally consent to sexual activity, but the law on images is different from the law on sexual consent.
Even if you and your partner are both 16 or 17, and you both agree, it is still illegal to create or share sexual images of anyone under 18.
The law is designed to protect young people from pressure, exploitation, and long-term harm.
More information on sex and consent can be found here.
What if someone sends me an explicit image?
What if someone sends me an explicit image?If you’re under 18 and someone sends you a nude or semi-nude image of someone your age (or younger):
- You should not keep it
- You should delete it as soon as possible
- You should tell a trusted adult or report it, especially if you didn’t ask for it
Keeping the image can get you into legal trouble, even if you didn’t ask for it or didn’t want it.
If an adult sends you a sexual image that is illegal, full stop.
More information on what the law says can be found here.
What if I share an image someone sent me?
Sharing or forwarding any nude or semi-nude image of a person under 18 is a serious offence. Even if you think it’s a joke. Even if you didn’t take the original image.
Forwarding it counts as distribution, which the law treats extremely seriously.
What if someone is pressuring me to send pictures?
Asking someone under 18 for nude or semi-nude images is illegal.
Pressure, manipulation, “flirting,” dares, threats etc, no one has the right to make you send images, and you should never feel like you have to.
Once an image is out there, you lose control over what happens next. It can be copied, saved, shared, and used against you, this can cause serious anxiety and stress.
What can I do if an image of me has been shared?
You are not alone, and there is help.
- Tell a trusted adult (parent, teacher, youth worker).
- Schools in Wales have clear safeguarding rules to support you, not punish you.
- You can contact the police, who will treat you as someone who needs protection.
- You can use Report Remove, a service that helps young people get nude or semi-nude images removed from the internet:
Report Remove is run by the Internet Watch Foundation and Childline
You don’t need to know where the image is the service can help track it down.
The bottom line
If you’re under 18, the safest choice is simple:
Don’t take, send, share, or keep nude or semi-nude images of yourself or anyone else.
It’s illegal. It can be harmful. And it can affect your future.
If something has already happened there is support, and you won’t be judged.
Reach out. Talk to someone. You deserve to feel safe and protected.
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