What to Say Now: Sexual Messages, Sexting & Intimate Images

My child received an unwanted image

What to remember

Receiving an image is not the same as requesting, sending, or sharing one.

Try saying: “Tell me what happened. You can talk to me about it.”

Then ask: “Who sent it?” “Was it expected or unexpected?” “Did you respond?” “Was there pressure, a request, or a threat?”

TALK Tool: 👀 Take a Look

If an adult sent the image, requested sexual content, or there are threats, coercion, grooming, or exploitation, Safety rules take priority.

My child was asked to send an image

What to remember

A request is different from pressure, coercion, threats, or blackmail.

Try saying: “You do not have to send a private image because someone asks for one.”

Then ask: “What did they ask you to send?” “Did you feel free to say no?” “Did they pressure or threaten you?”

TALK Tools: ❓ Ask if It’s Okay, 💬 Learn Your Why, or 👉 Know What to Do

If threats, blackmail, coercion, grooming, sextortion, or exploitation are present, Safety rules take priority.

My child sent an intimate image

What to remember

Do not begin with shame or humiliation. First understand what happened.

Try saying: “I want to understand what happened before we decide what to do next.”

Ask: “Was it sent willingly?” “Was there pressure?” “Was it sent once or repeatedly?” “Has anyone else received or shared it?”

Then address responsibility, privacy, relationships, values, and future choices.

If the child was pressured, threatened, blackmailed, groomed, or exploited, Safety rules take priority.

The image was shared or forwarded

What to remember

First determine whose image it was, who shared it, how widely it was distributed, and whether your child was the person pictured, the sender, the recipient, or a bystander.

Try saying: “Let’s slow this down and understand exactly what was shared and who has it now. You can tell me the whole story.”

If the sharing was nonconsensual, involved threats, coercion, an adult, or sexual exploitation, move to safety and reporting support rather than treating this as an ordinary family conversation.

Someone made an AI-generated intimate image

What to remember

An AI-generated image may be fake, but the humiliation, pressure, fear, reputational harm, or threats can be very real.

Try saying: “I’m glad you told me. Even if the image is fake, what happened to you matters. Let’s figure out who made it, where it was shared, and what support you need.”

Preserve relevant evidence without redistributing the image. If there are threats, coercion, adult involvement, or exploitation, use the appropriate safety and reporting pathway.

Someone is pressuring or threatening my child

Safety comes first.

Repeated pressure, manipulation, threats, blackmail, grooming, or sextortion are not ordinary relationship problems.

Try saying: “You do not have to handle this alone. Don’t send anything else, don’t pay anyone, and don’t delete the messages yet. I’m going to help you.”

Preserve evidence, block further contact when appropriate, and use the relevant reporting, crisis, law-enforcement, platform, or specialized support pathway. If there is immediate danger, seek emergency help.

Faith & Values

If faith or spiritual beliefs matter to your family, you can bring them into the conversation without using shame.

Try saying: “Our family has beliefs about dignity, sexuality, relationships, and how we treat ourselves and other people. Let’s talk about why those values matter here.”

Use faith and values to support dignity, responsibility, boundaries, repair, and thoughtful choices.

When safety takes priority

Threats, blackmail, coercion, grooming, sextortion, exploitation, adult involvement, sexual abuse, or immediate danger require more than ordinary TALK guidance.

Use the appropriate safety, reporting, crisis, emergency, or specialized support pathway first. Safety action should never be delayed in order to complete a family conversation.