Electronic communication is a popular method for people to stay in touch. For some people, the messages between them and their romantic interest may get a bit steamy. While that’s typically not an issue between consenting adults, there are times when those messages could be illegal.
Sexting is defined as sending sexually explicit messages or images to another person. These can be photos, videos or written statements. The tie that binds them is that they’re all sexual in nature.
When is sexting illegal?
Sexting is always illegal when there is a minor involved. Minors can’t legally send or receive sexually explicit materials. It’s also against the law to send or receive sexually explicit images or videos of minors, regardless of who’s involved in the exchange.
Another time when sexting is likely illegal is when the exchange isn’t consensual. This could mean the other party doesn’t want to have sexual exchanges. It’s also non-consensual if the person in the images or videos doesn’t consent to them being shared. In some cases, that type of situation could be considered revenge porn.
Sexting co-workers is also a bad idea, especially if they didn’t specifically consent to a sexting relationship. In the workplace, sexting could be classified as harassment. This can lead to negative employment actions, such as termination.
Anyone who’s formally accused of sexting should ensure they understand their options for handling the matter. This may require them to seek the assistance of someone familiar with these cases. Determining their next steps should occur swiftly so they don’t have to try to rush while they’re building their strategy.