Online Safety: Image-Based Abuse

If someone distributes a nude image or video of your young person online, it constitutes image-based abuse, and it is against the law. When teenagers under 18 take nude photographs or videos of themselves, this material is classified as child pornography. Under federal law, it’s an offence for anyone to access, transmit, possess, publish, control, supply or obtain child pornography.

When young people talk about ‘sending nudes’, it usually means sharing intimate photos or videos of themselves with someone else using an online message or chat function, or a phone text service. 'Sexting’ means sending a sexual message or text, with or without a photo or video. ‘Intimate images’ include nudes, partial nudes, fake nudes, naked selfies and upskirting, as well as screenshots or screen recordings of private activity like having sex or going to the toilet.

Conversations to have with your young person:

  • Where to start the conversation? Conversation about these topics must be grounded in your family's beliefs and values. Make sure you have early, regular and protective conversations with your young person about the values you have as a family regarding respect and care for others and the dignity of each human person.

  • Open the conversation with a real-life story from the media. Ask questions like ‘Do you think it was right for them to share that photo after they broke up?’ Follow up by asking ‘Why?’, ‘Why not?’ or ‘Tell me more’ to help you understand more about what they’re thinking.

  • Explore what their friends think about sharing nudes. Ask your young person what they think might happen if one of their friend’s nudes went viral and how they would get help.

  • Discuss with them how to say ‘no’ when someone asks for an intimate image or video. You can encourage them to be firm by suggesting a response such as: "Sorry, but that's not my vibe. I'm all about respecting myself. Let's stick to chatting about things that actually matter."

  • What if you discover your young person is asking a peer for images? There are a number of reasons why a young person might request images but the overwhelming reason they do it is peer pressure. It is important that you have conversations with your young person about what is a healthy relationship, how to show respect and affection for others appropriately and seek external support if required.

  • Tell them they can always talk with you, no matter how worried or embarrassed they feel. Let them know that you will help them work things out if they feel pressured to share an intimate image or video of themselves or if they have shared an intimate image or video of someone else.

Read more at eSafety The hard-to-have conversations. If you have any concerns about your young person please contact the College. It is important for the College to know any wellbeing issues that may impact on learning and behaviour at school.