The term ‘sexting’ describes the consensual or non-consensual sharing of self-generated sexually explicit or nude images of children under the age of 18, commonly known by young people as ‘nudes’ or ‘sending nudes.’ Both consensual and non-consensual sharing is illegal under the Protection of Children Act 1978.
Non-consensual sharing would be defined as an incident of online sexual harassment, due to the coercion, pressure and/or lack of consent involved.
All incidents of youth-produced sexual imagery should be responded to in line with school safeguarding policy. See the Sexting hot topic for more information.