#howwouldUfeel
End the culture of forwarding intimate images
Almost half of youth who have sent a sext (nude or semi-nude photo) say that the recipient then forwarded that image and shared it with other people.
Almost half of youth who have sent a sext (nude or semi-nude photo) say that the recipient then forwarded that image and shared it with other people.
This campaign is intended to discourage the common “culture of sharing” among youth where intimate images are forwarded on to other people. Most sexting related campaigns and messages focus on the initial sender of the sext, ignoring the point where the most harm is done – when sexts are forwarded without the original sender’s consent.
Taking and sending sexts is a risky behaviour in itself, but there is never an excuse to share or forward a sext of someone else.
One common excuse we use to justify our actions is to say that our behaviour is okay because it was for a good reason. Sometimes this may be the case, but two wrongs don’t make a right.
We’ve created this guide to help parents and guardians start the conversation around sexting and healthy relationships, and help youth understand that forwarding a sext can do a lot of harm.
Whether you call them sexts, nudes, naked selfies or just pics, if you receive an intimate image like this, it’s your job to make the right choice about the sender’s privacy. There is no excuse to forward a sext that someone sent you.
In this lesson and accompanying videos, students learn about the “sneaky excuses” that can convince us to do things that we know are wrong - like forwarding an intimate image of someone else. The videos challenge the excuses used to justify sharing a sext without the consent of the original sender.
This guide for community leaders, school resource officers and peer facilitators includes a workshop to help reinforce the message that there is never an excuse to share or forward a sext of someone else without their consent.
The #howwouldUfeel videos and resources are based on key findings from the MediaSmarts research, Non-Consensual Sharing of Sexts: Behaviours and Attitudes of Canadian Youth.
Talk to your kids about the risks of taking and sending intimate images.
If you’ve had a sext shared or forwarded without your consent, find out what you can do about it.
TELUS Wise offers online or in-person workshops that help Canadians of all ages stay safe online.
Cyberbullying takes many forms. Learn more about how to make a difference and rise above to #EndBullying.
The information provided on telus.com/wise is intended as general information only, not as advice. Readers should assess all information in light of their own circumstances and consider all relevant factors.