Intimate Images & Sexting

Intimate images and sexting involve the creation, sharing, or distribution of sexual content—often through digital devices—and can carry serious emotional, social, and legal consequences, especially for youth.

Intimate Images, Nudes, Sexting, Deepfakes, and Sugaring

Far too often, the language and research surrounding sexting can be confusing for both parents and youth. The definitions below reflect the terminology we use throughout this chapter, grounded in clarity, accuracy, and educational purpose.

Sexting

Any sexual communication exchanged via technology. This includes sexual messages, with or without nude imagery, that may depict partially or fully exposed genitalia.

Nudes & Intimate Images

Visual media—photographic or video—that shows an individual's exposed genitalia.

Sextortion

The use or threat of distributing intimate images as a weapon for extortion or blackmail. This can be for financial, social, or personal gain.

Distribution of Intimate Images

Knowingly publishing, distributing, transmitting, selling, making available, or advertising an intimate image of someone without their consent—or being reckless as to whether or not they gave consent.

Pornography

Printed or visual material that explicitly depicts sexual organs or sexual acts, typically created for entertainment purposes.

Current Data on Sexting and Sharing Nudes

In 2023, MediaSmarts Canada found that:

9% of teens (grades 7–11) surveyed had sent a sext.

38% reported that a sext they sent—with consent and trust—did not stay private and was shared publicly.
🔗 Source

Additional findings from MediaSmarts Canada include:

Only 3% of teens sent a nude to someone they didn’t know.

16% of youth said they received a sext that had been forwarded to them by someone else.

29% admitted to forwarding a sext themselves.

Meanwhile, a 2019 Canadian peer-reviewed study involving 2,537 youth aged 14–17 found:

14.4% of teens had sent a sexual image.

27.0% had received one.
🔗 Study

This research aligns with what we hear anecdotally from teens across North America: while sending nudes is a reality, it is not occurring at the epidemic levels that many adults, educators, and media outlets often suggest.

It's important to distinguish between “sexting” and “nudes.” News reports frequently use the term sext broadly, but when it comes to actual nude image sharing, the numbers are significantly lower. Moreover, among teens who are sending nudes, it is most often to someone they know, trust, or are in a relationship with.

Academic researchers Emily Weinstein and Carrie James, in their book Behind Their Screens, identified four common sources from which teens are asked for intimate images:

Significant others in committed relationships

Early-stage romantic interests or people they’re flirting with

Friends or acquaintances

Strangers

This is supported by a 2022 Statistics Canada report on the redistribution of intimate images among youth:
🔗 Report

28% of offenders were a current or former intimate partner

21% were friends

33% were casual acquaintances

Only 14% were strangers

The median age of survivors: 15 years for girls, 14 years for boys

66% of the offenders were boys aged 12–17

Why Teens Send Nudes

Based on years of experience and teen feedback, we’ve identified five common reasons why youth may choose to send nudes:

Maladaptive attention-seeking behaviour – Most common in pre-teens and younger teens seeking validation.

Relationship building – More common among older teens and adults seeking intimacy or trust.

Personal gain – Some exchange images or videos for property, money, or goods.

Peer pressure – Especially prevalent in romantic relationships where coercion may occur.

Being tricked or criminally extorted – In cases of sextortion, where trust is manipulated or images are obtained under false pretences.

Canadian Law: What Parents Need to Know

Many parents mistakenly believe that sending an intimate image is always illegal. However, two landmark Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decisions—R. v. Sharpe (2001) and R. v. Barabash (2015)—affirm that it is not illegal in Canada for two consenting teens (under 18) in a private, consensual, non-exploitative relationship to possess or exchange nude imagery for personal use.

This is known as the “Private Use Exception”, protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

To be clear:

If two teens under 18 are in a lawful, non-exploitative relationship and the image remains private and consensual within that relationship, law enforcement and the courts typically will not get involved. Canada is somewhat unique in this legal interpretation, offering balanced protection and avoiding unnecessary criminalization of youth.

Case Law in Action: R. v. M.B. (2016 BCCA 476)

In this British Columbia Court of Appeal case, the court stated:

“[S.] 163.1, as interpreted in Sharpe, does not prevent teenagers from ‘sexting.’ They can readily do so, provided they keep intimate images or videos strictly for private use such that they fall within the Sharpe exception.”

This ruling reinforces the principle that privacy and consent are essential legal thresholds.

https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/intimate-images-nudes-sexts-and-teens-how-noble-cause-intentions-and-statements-are-misleading-dont-truly-protect-youth/

Age of Consent in Canada

A 2022 Canadian national survey conducted for the Canadian Women’s Foundation found that 55% of Canadians did not fully understand the legal definition of consent in sexual activity.
🔗 Consent Survey Report (PDF)

In Canada:

The age of consent is 16.

A 16-year-old can consent to sexual activity with someone 14 or older, unless the older person is in a position of trust, authority, or power (e.g., teacher, babysitter, coach, police officer).

Close-In-Age Exceptions (14–15 years old):

14-year-olds can consent to sexual activity with someone less than 5 years older (up to age 18).

15-year-olds can consent to sexual activity with someone up to age 19.

🔗 Department of Justice Canada – Consent FAQ

Peer Experimentation Exception (12–13 years old):

12-year-olds can consent to sexual activity with someone who is 13.

13-year-olds can consent to sexual activity with someone up to 14.

These exceptions apply only when the activity is non-exploitative and both parties fall within the permitted age ranges.

We also encourage watching our in-depth video on consent and Canadian law for a clearer understanding.

https://youtu.be/SdZbdtqBGDo

Criminal Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images

The non-consensual distribution of an intimate image can involve:

Posting or publishing it online

Sending it to others

Selling, advertising, or making it publicly available

When teens share intimate images without consent, or if consent is later withdrawn, this can become a criminal matter under Canadian law.

Why Do Some Teens Share Images Without Consent?

We’ve identified three common motivations:

Bragging rights – “Look how many nudes I’ve received.”

Humour – Sharing images to mock or embarrass someone.

Revenge or retaliation – Especially after a breakup.

Once an image is shared without consent, two sections of the Criminal Code of Canada may apply:

Section 163.1 – Child Pornography

This law applies if the image:

Depicts a person under 18 engaged in explicit sexual activity, or

Shows sexual organs or the anal region for a sexual purpose, or

Encourages sexual activity with a person under 18.

Under subsections 163.1(4) and 163.1(4.1), the person who distributes, possesses, produces, or accesses such material can be charged—even if the image was initially shared consensually.

If convicted, a teen could also be required to register with the National Sex Offender Registry.

However, in October 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that lifetime registration is unconstitutional. Now, registration is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Important:

Canadian law enforcement generally avoids charging teens under these sections unless there is clear malice, coercion, or exploitation. These laws were designed to protect youth from predators—not criminalize them for sexual experimentation.

Section 162.1 – Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images

This 2014 law states that it is a criminal offence to knowingly or recklessly distribute, publish, transmit, sell, or advertise an intimate image of someone without their consent.

Maximum penalty: 5 years in prison

No requirement to register as a sex offender

Applies to all ages — including youth under 18

This is now the primary section used by police when intimate images are weaponized, regardless of whether the person depicted is under or over the age of 18.

Definition of "Intimate Image" under Section 162.1(2):

An image or video:

Depicting nudity (genitalia, anal region, or breasts), or explicit sexual activity,

Taken in a context where privacy would be reasonably expected,

Where the person still has a reasonable expectation of privacy at the time of the offence

Restorative Justice Option

Depending on the situation, police may choose a restorative justice pathway instead of formal charges. This is a process we fully support when appropriate—it holds youth accountable while promoting education and healing rather than criminal punishment.

Steps to Take When Images Are Distributed or Threatened to Be Distributed

When a problematic sexting incident is brought to your attention, it’s important to respond calmly and thoughtfully. Here are the steps we recommend:

Step 1: Don’t Panic – Assess the Situation

Your teen needs your support, not your judgment.

Ask the following questions:

Does the image or video show nudity? If so, to what extent?

Does it display a youth’s genital organs, anal region, or breasts/nipples, or depict explicit sexual activity?

Is the image simply sexualized (e.g. a swimsuit) but not explicit?

Where has the image/video been posted?

Who may have it?

Has it been shared at school or within their peer group?

Important Note: Many parents and youth mistakenly believe that images showing a bra or underwear are considered “nudes.” Legally, they are not—unless they meet the criteria under Canadian law. Asking the right questions helps determine the appropriate next steps.

If the content doesn’t qualify as a “nude,” it could still be criminal, depending on how it's being used (e.g. to harass, intimidate, or extort). Contacting police for guidance is recommended.

Step 2: Determine Legality

After asking the right questions, assess whether the image(s) fall under the legal category of an intimate image and whether their use or possession is lawful.

A teen may no longer consent to the image being held or shared. If that’s the case:

The teen must explicitly inform the other person that consent has been withdrawn.

They must also request the image(s) be deleted.

At this point, it’s not a criminal matter yet. However, if the other person:

Refuses to delete the image,

Threatens to share it,

Distributes it anyway, or

Ignores the deletion request,

—then it can escalate to a criminal offence.

Step 3: Connect With Police

Once it's clear that the law may have been broken, contact your local police:

Provide them with a detailed summary: Who, what, where, when, how, and why.

The police will likely need to speak directly with your teen.

Be prepared to share screenshots, messages, and all steps already taken (e.g., deletion notice).

Step 4: Consider Notifying the School

If the situation has any connection to the school (e.g. image was shared, viewed, or discussed on school grounds or among classmates), notify administration immediately.

Key distinction:

A police investigation is a criminal process.

A School Act investigation is a civil/disciplinary process.

You do not need to wait for a police outcome to trigger a school response.

Schools can:

Launch their own investigation,

Apply consequences under school policy,

Offer restorative justice solutions, even if no criminal charges are laid.

Sext-Ed: An Asymmetrical Risk Mitigation Approach

Having presented to over 655,000 teens across Canada and the U.S., we know that the topic of “sending nudes”—what adults often call sexting, and what Canadian law refers to as the distribution of intimate images—is a significant and ongoing concern for both youth and adults.

Let’s be clear: nudes are not new. They’ve existed for centuries—you only need to visit a museum to see that. What has changed is the ease, speed, and permanence with which youth can now create and distribute their own nude images using technology.

The Epidemic Myth

Despite media hype, academic research and teen disclosures consistently show that sexting is not occurring at epidemic levels. It’s a real concern, yes—but not one that warrants panic, misinformation, or fear-based education.

The Failure of Abstinence-Only Messaging

Many schools still use a fear-based, abstinence-only approach to educate students about sexting. These programs often boil down to:

“Don’t send nudes, or you’ll be arrested.”

However, research shows that abstinence messaging is largely ineffective in today’s digital world:

Journal of Adolescent Health study on ineffective abstinence education

YouTube video from a teen on the failures of abstinence-based programs

Teens tell us that this approach:

Doesn’t reflect the realities of their lives,

Fails to build trust with adults, and

Often causes them to stay silent when something goes wrong for fear of punishment or shame.

In fact, the Crimes Against Children Research Center reported that only 16% of teens who had their intimate images weaponized reported the incident to police or an adult.

A Better Way: Risk Reduction + Honest Education

We believe that we must meet young people where they are—without shame or judgment.

Today’s reality is this: human intimacy is evolving, and for many teens, the thought of sending an intimate image is not just possible, but likely. So, instead of preaching abstinence or criminal threats, we support a hybrid approach that includes:

Abstinence messaging (when appropriate),
Risk mitigation education, and
Criminal accountability in cases of exploitation, malice, or harm.

There is no such thing as “safe sexting,” but we can make it safer through smart, age-appropriate education that teaches youth how to reduce risk.

Focus on the Offender, Not the Victim

We need to shift focus from:

“Why did you send that picture?”
to

“Why did someone choose to violate your trust and weaponize it?”

This includes:

Calling out victim-blaming,
Empowering bystanders to speak up,
Educating police, educators, and parents on how to sensitively respond when a teen discloses image-based harm.

Our Shift in Approach

Years ago, we taught an abstinence-only message. But for the past eight years, we’ve developed and delivered a teen-informed, hybrid abstinence/risk reduction framework at the high school level. We still emphasize that it’s safer not to send intimate images at all—given that in 42% of incidents, they are shared beyond the intended recipient.

But we also teach what to do if a teen chooses to send one anyway, to reduce harm if the image is ever leaked.

Risk Mitigation Protocol: 12 Steps to Reduce Harm

If your teen is considering sending an intimate image despite all the risks, here is a 12-step risk-reduction framework we teach in our high school programs. This protocol is not a green light to sext—but a strategy to reduce harm if things go wrong.

Following this approach may provide deniability, reduce traceability, and offer psychological and legal protection if an image is ever weaponized or leaked.

#1: Don’t Do It

This is always the safest choice. In Canada, research shows that 32% of nudes end up being shared beyond the intended recipient. But if your teen still chooses to send one...

#2: Do Not Include Your Face

Removing your face allows you to deny authorship if the image is leaked.

#3: Avoid Identifiable Marks

No scars, tattoos, birthmarks, or unique jewelry. Anything distinct can be used to prove identity.

#4: Exclude Recognizable Clothing

Don’t wear school shirts, branded apparel, or anything that could identify you.

#5: Neutral Backgrounds Only

Avoid bedrooms, bathrooms, or familiar household items that could give away your identity or location.

#6: Disable Automatic Photo Backup

Turn off cloud syncing (e.g. iCloud, Google Photos) to prevent unintentional uploads to shared storage.

#7: Scrub Metadata

Remove image metadata (like GPS coordinates or device info) using apps or phone settings to avoid revealing where the photo was taken.

#8: Lock Your Device and Files

Use passcodes or biometric locks on your phone and in any secure file or vault apps to limit access.

#9: Enable “Find My Device”

If your phone is lost or stolen, this feature allows you to remotely wipe data, including sensitive images.

#10: Use a Hidden Watermark

Embed a translucent watermark (e.g. the recipient’s name) using apps like Photoshop Express. If the image leaks, this creates a digital breadcrumb that helps police identify who distributed it.

#11: Include a Clear Warning Message

Attach a caption like “Not to Be Shared.” In Canada, this strengthens legal claims under the Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images law if the image is leaked.

#12: Add Copyrighted Music to Videos

Playing popular music in the background may prevent the video from being posted on social media platforms due to copyright algorithms. While not foolproof, it’s an added deterrent.

A Word for Parents

You may not agree with this approach—and we respect that. However, our goal is to meet youth where they are, providing them with tools to make informed decisions in their “onlife” world.

We believe that risk reduction, not fear or shame, is key to reducing real-world consequences for teens.

This approach is supported by academic research:

Study 1 – Journal of Adolescent Health

Study 2 – Archives of Sexual Behaviour

Study 3 – Sexualities Journal

A Tool to Help Cope with Unsolicited Requests for Nudes

One of the most consistent and troubling messages we hear from teen girls in our presentations is this:

“I’m constantly being asked for nudes.”

When we ask for a show of hands, 20–30% of teen girls tell us they’ve been asked—often more than once.

This puts many of them in a lose-lose situation:

If they send a nude and it gets shared, they’re shamed and called a “hoe,” “slut,” or “thot.”
If they don’t send a nude, they’re shamed as a “prude,” “ice queen,” or “tease.”

This is exactly why discussing sexism, digital pressure, and body autonomy must be part of conversations around sexting and healthy sexuality.

Our Solution: “No, It’s Rude to Ask for a Nude”

To help teens stand up for themselves in these situations, we created a digital tool:

This image:

Sends a clear message that unsolicited requests are inappropriate—and sometimes illegal
States: “NO is a complete sentence.”
Includes a reminder: “I’ve screen-captured your message as evidence if needed.”

This warning is intentional. In Canada, repeated requests for nudes can legally qualify as:

Criminal Harassment
Luring under the Criminal Code

When we explain this in school presentations, it’s always eye-opening to see how many jaws drop—many teens genuinely had no idea.

How Teens Can Use the Image

We encourage teens to:

Download the high-resolution image to their phone
Save it in a designated photo album
Send it as a response when someone asks them for a nude

This approach gives teens the confidence to say no, and the language to shut down inappropriate behaviour without escalating confrontation.

It also serves as a first strike in building an evidence trail. If the individual continues to ask for images after being told to stop, police now have documentation that the request was clearly unwelcome.

A Tool to Help Cope with Unsolicited Nudes Being Sent

We’ve also heard loud and clear from teens—especially those who identify as female—that they are tired of receiving unsolicited pictures of genitalia, commonly referred to as “dick pics.”

The Research Says It Starts Early

According to one study:

“Sexual attention from unknown males often began at a very young age (12–14 years). The harassment took many forms, including inappropriate sexual comments on social media posts, explicit photos of male genitalia, and solicitations for sex.”
🔗 Read the Research

Many youth have resigned themselves to believing that this behaviour is just “part of being online.”
It’s not.

It’s not funny. It’s not harmless. And in Canada—it’s a crime.

The Legal Reality in Canada

If someone sends an unsolicited nude image, it may fall under several sections of the Criminal Code of Canada:

Indecent Communication – If the image is sexual in nature and intended to shock or harass.
Child Pornography – If either the sender or recipient is under 18 and the image depicts genitalia.
Criminal Harassment – If the recipient has made it clear they do not want contact and the behaviour continues.

Our Response: “Unsolicited Nude” Warning Image

Much like our “No, It’s Rude to Ask for a Nude” campaign, we’ve created a second downloadable image for teens to use when they receive an unwanted explicit photo.

Sends a clear warning to the sender
States that the message has been screen-captured as evidence
Notifies the sender that repeated behavior could lead to legal consequences

We encourage teens to:

Download the image to their phone
Use it as a firm, non-confrontational first response
Then block, report, and delete the sender

This strategy helps build an evidence trail in case further police involvement is needed.

Let’s Change the Narrative

Some might say, “It’s just boys being boys.”
We reject that.

This behaviour fuels:

Systemic sexism
Objectification of bodies
Toxic masculinity
Gendered harassment and exploitation

And it causes real harm—emotional, psychological, social, and physical.

Unsolicited nude photos are not a joke.

They are not a rite of passage.

They are a form of image-based sexual violence—and they need to be treated that way.

Deepfakes, Nudification, & Gender-Based Image Tech Violence

At The White Hatter, we’ve been raising alarms about how AI-driven deepfake and nudification technologies are being used as weapons of gender-based image violence—especially targeting those who identify as female, but increasingly also males. We know of 5 separate cases where teens girls were targeted by teen boys at their school.

https://thewhitehatter.ca/deepnudes-undressing-ai-generated-intimate-image-abuse-material/

https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/alert-for-parents-caregivers-educators-and-law-enforcement-concerning-apps-utilizing-ai-pose-risks-to-youth-and-adults/

What Is Deepfake and Nudification Technology?

These tools use artificial intelligence to:

Morph faces into existing pornographic photos or videos—similar to Photoshop, but far more advanced and harder to detect.
Digitally remove clothing from images and generate hyper-realistic AI-rendered “nude” versions—commonly referred to as nudification apps.

These technologies are easily accessible online, and often used anonymously.

We Tested It

Our team conducted investigative testing of these apps and found that:

They are disturbingly easy to use.
The final images are incredibly realistic, especially to an untrained eye.
In most cases, targets were unaware they had been victimized.

The Harm Is Real

In recent cases we’ve supported, teens and adults were targeted with deepfake pornography using their real faces and AI-generated bodies.

Even if no actual nudity occurred, the emotional, psychological, and social harm can be severe.

A 2021 study found that victims of deepfake sexual abuse can experience trauma similar to survivors of sexual assault, including:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression and anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
🔗 Read the study

This Is Not Just Moral Panic

Some argue that concerns about deepfakes are exaggerated. We disagree. As a licensed online investigative company, we have already seen these tools used in real cases of:

Peer-based bullying
Sextortion
Gender-based harassment
Incel-driven targeting (see below)

What Is an Incel?

Incel stands for “Involuntary Celibate.”

According to Oxford Dictionary:

“A member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually, typically associated with views that are hostile toward women and sexually active men.”

This misogynistic online subculture often uses deepfake technology to target, shame, and humiliate those who identify as female. Yes—there are teen incels, and we’ve helped professionals in Canada deal with school-based cases.

How to Spot a Deepfake During a Video Call

Some online predators are already using deepfake tech during video grooming calls. If your teen is video chatting with someone they just met online, here are two tests they can request:

Ask the person to turn their head 90 degrees — most deepfake generators struggle with realistic side profiles.
Ask them to wave their hand in front of their face — this often causes glitching or visual distortion in fake overlays.
If the person is using a cellphone, have them shake the phone. If the image isn’t fully blurring it is a good indicator that they are using deepfake AI software
If they are using a desk top cam, have the person hold up their phone with their phone camera on, screen facing the desktop webcam, but the phone cam facing them. If they are using PC based web cam deepfake AI, the face on your computer screen will not match the face on their cellphone screen.

If the person refuses to do any of the above 4 steps, that’s a red flag:

DANGER, DANGER, DANGER.

Legal Responses to Deepfakes and Nudification in Canada

While deepfake and nudification technology is still new and evolving, Canada does not yet have specific laws targeting this form of digital sexual abuse. However, several existing criminal and civil laws can still apply—especially when such images or videos are used maliciously.

Criminal Code of Canada – Sections That May Apply

Here are the criminal charges that could potentially apply when deepfakes or nudified images/videos are created and shared:

1. Child Pornography – Section 163.1

If the person depicted is under 18 and the content appears sexual in nature, even if faked:

Possessing, producing, or distributing such images could result in child pornography charges.
This has been upheld in Canadian case law, including:
- R v H(C), 2010 ONCJ 270
- R v Butler, 2011 NLTD(G)5
- D(R) v S(G), 2011 BCSC 1118

2. Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images – Section 162.1

This 2015 law criminalizes the sharing of intimate images without consent, including:

Deepfaked or nudified content
Situations where a reasonable expectation of privacy is breached
Distribution that occurs knowingly or recklessly

Although not yet tested specifically in deepfake cases, this law may stand up to challenge.

3. Indecent Communication – Section 372(1)

Anyone who uses telecommunications to send indecent messages to another person may be charged under this law.

4. Extortion – Section 346(1)

If deepfakes are used to blackmail a person (e.g. threatening to post images unless more content is sent), the offender can be charged with extortion.

5. Criminal Harassment – Section 264(1)

If deepfake or nudified images are used in a pattern of behavior that causes someone to fear for their safety, criminal harassment charges may apply.

Civil Law Responses

While not our area of legal expertise, here are civil law options a victim may explore with legal counsel:

Defamation
Violation of privacy
Harassment
Appropriation of personality

However, pursuing civil remedies can be expensive and usually requires knowing the identity of the person responsible—something that is often obscured in deepfake cases.

Real Trends We’re Seeing

At The White Hatter, we’re witnessing a rise in youth using deepfake, nudification, and morphing tools in two troubling ways:

As a joke or prank (often egregious and harmful)
As a weapon to target peers—especially in dating or revenge-based scenarios

We’ve investigated both. And the message is clear:

Whether it’s “just a joke” or malicious, the consequences can be devastating and criminal.

https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/deepfake-nude-technology-in-schools-the-growing-threat-to-a-students-and-teachers-emotional-psychological-physical-safety-wellbeing/

Parent Tip

Start a frank conversation with your teen about deepfakes. Talk about:

The real-world emotional and legal consequences
The importance of respecting others’ digital privacy
Why even “fake nudes” can cause very real harm

Sugaring, Sugar Daddies, Pay Pigs, and Sugar Babies

In 2014, the site Seeking Arrangement popularized the term “sugaring” by monetizing it as a form of "mutually beneficial" online companionship. Since then, the industry has exploded, with new platforms emerging—including Sugar Daddy Canada and Vancouver Island Sugar Daddy.

What is “sugaring:

“A dating practice where a person receives money, gifts, support, or other financial and material benefits in exchange for a dating-like service. The recipient is called a sugar baby, while the paying partner is a sugar daddy or sugar momma.”

Who’s Being Targeted?

Originally, these platforms targeted college and university students (primarily young women, sometimes men), often promoting sugaring as a safe way to pay off student debt.

But today, we are seeing a disturbing shift:

Teens and single parents turning to sugaring out of economic necessity for what we call “survival money”
Individuals under 18 being solicited online
Exploiters leveraging the imbalance of power to manipulate vulnerable youth
Some youth are purposely engaging in this behaviour for fun money or what is also know as “flex money” so they can buy expensive clothing, jewelry, electronics, or other material things.

https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/parents-caregivers-and-educators-do-you-know-what-bop-stands-for-what-the-bop-house-is/

We’ve helped multiple families since 2020—teens and young adults who became involved in sugaring, thinking it was easy or harmless, only to find themselves in dangerous situations.

Sugaring Isn’t Just on Sugaring Sites

While sites like Seeking Arrangement claim you must be 19+ to sign up, there's no reliable age verification in place. It’s easy for teens to lie about their age.

What’s more alarming is the shift to mainstream platforms—such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook—where teens receive unsolicited direct messages like:

“Hey babe, I’ll spoil you if you become my sugar baby. Weekly allowance. Just say yes.”

Case Study: Financial Survival

One family we helped discovered their teen had entered into sugaring to raise money for university. With no student loans, no job due to COVID, and a $25,000 annual bill, this teen turned to sugaring as a last resort—desperate, but unaware of the long-term risks.

Case Study: Lifestyle and Status

Another teen we supported was sugaring not for survival, but for status symbols: expensive clothing, accessories, vape paraphernalia, and even tattoos. This teen admitted they saw sugaring as a quick and easy way to finance a recreational lifestyle.

Real Messages We’ve Seen

Here’s a screenshot excerpt from a real conversation a Canadian teen had with a “sugar daddy” on Instagram:

SD: “I really admire your photo. Can you be my sugar baby? I’ll spoil you weekly.”
Teen: “Yes. E-transfer or PayPal?”
SD: “I want this private. I’ll send a check and you deposit it by mobile.”
Teen: “Okay. What do you expect?”
SD: “I just need someone to take my mind off my divorce. I’ll start with $200 weekly and increase if you impress me.”

This script is familiar to us. These “offers” are often well-practiced, predatory, and grooming-based.

Is Sugaring Legal?

One of the most frequent questions we get from parents is:

“Is sugaring legal?”

The answer? It depends.

The legality of sugaring hinges on jurisdiction, age, and the nature of the exchange. Here's how the situation breaks down in Canada:

Canadian Law: The Legal Grey Zone

Under the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act:

Selling sex is legal in Canada.
However, it is illegal to:
- Purchase sexual services
- Live off the material gains of selling sex
- Advertise sexual services

Most sugaring platforms try to avoid legal consequences by framing themselves as “dating” or “companionship” sites—not explicitly offering sexual services. But we know the truth:

In many cases, especially with teens, this “companionship” quickly escalates to hypersexualized messaging, image exchanges, or even in-person meetings.

Legal Risks for Minors (Under 18)

If the person sending images or engaging in sexualized interaction is under the age of 18, several Criminal Code violations could apply:

Production and distribution of child pornography – even if the images are consensual
Luring – if the sugar daddy initiates grooming behavior
Extortion – if threats or coercion are involved
Non-consensual distribution of intimate images – if shared without permission

Even if the teen initially consents and receives payment, if they later withdraw that consent or request deletion of the images or videos, continued possession of that material by the adult could constitute child pornography possession.

The Challenge of Enforcement

One of the greatest barriers to legal accountability in sugaring is anonymity. Sugar daddies often:

Use fake names and burner accounts
Transfer money through platforms like Bitcoin or PayPal
Ghost the teen when conflict arises

This makes it difficult to track, arrest, or prosecute—which is precisely why these exploiters use this method.

Case Study: Feet Pics for Money

We helped a family whose 17-year-old was selling photos of their bare feet for $25 per set—making over $350 in one week. While this may seem harmless (we’ll address legality of feet pics later), the grooming pattern is clear: many sugar daddies begin with low-barrier content, slowly escalating to demands for nudes and more explicit media.

Unsolicited Sugaring on Social Media

Because many social apps don’t enforce age verification, sugar daddies now target youth directly on:

TikTok
Snapchat
Instagram
Facebook

And the teens we’ve helped are often solicited without ever signing up for a sugaring site.

Case Study: Cathy’s Experience with Online Sugaring and Domination

We were recently contacted by a young woman—we’ll call her Cathy—who believed her Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat accounts had been hacked by someone she had met online. After investigating, we discovered she hadn’t been technically hacked. Instead, she had been socially engineered.

Cathy had been part of the online sugaring and domination/submission subculture for nearly two years—starting when she turned 18. She remembered The White Hatter from a school presentation years earlier and reached out because she remembered our promise:

“If you’re ever in trouble online and don’t know where to turn, contact us—we’ll help.”

Cathy’s Motivation

Cathy told us she became involved in online domination to help pay for university tuition and living expenses. She had tried working in hospitality, but COVID-19 made it difficult to keep a job. After reading about online dom/sub relationships and realizing no physical contact was involved, she thought this was a safe way to make quick money.

How She Got Started

Joined Reddit and was verified on a domination-focused subreddit.
Created an anonymous account on Kik, an encrypted messaging app.
Set up a PayPal account to collect payments.
Used Reddit to advertise, then moved clients to Kik for private messaging.

Before services were rendered, Cathy required payment up front.

What She Did

Cathy charged:

$3–$5/min for typical online domination conversations.
$20/min for "drainers" or "rinsers"—clients who requested financial domination.
$20/min for "TeamViewers"—clients who gave Cathy remote control over their computers.

Eventually, her services escalated to include:

Selling nude photo packages ($15–$20 for 10 images)
Fulfilling specific fetish requests (e.g. wearing purchased underwear and mailing it back for $40)
Simulated sexual activity via images

Cathy insisted that all services remained virtual and anonymous.

Emotional Consequences

At first, Cathy felt empowered by her online persona. She described the experience as “addictive,” especially with clients praising her as a “goddess” or “mistress.”

But that empowerment faded. Cathy began experiencing:

Shame
Fear of exposure
Guilt over hiding her actions from her boyfriend and family

She also admitted that a portion of her earnings was used to fund a substance use issue, which began with prescription Adderall in high school and had since progressed.

The Tipping Point: She Was Doxxed

One client—posing as a regular—used subtle questioning and online reconnaissance to uncover Cathy’s real identity, likely by:

Tracking her IP address (no VPN was used)
Finding her Facebook profile through digital breadcrumbs
Exploiting minor security gaps in her social media

He began threatening to expose her activities to her family, boyfriend, and employer if she didn’t comply with his increasing demands.

Cathy had been doxxed—a term for when someone’s personal identity and private information are maliciously revealed or weaponized online.

Cathy’s Path Forward

Cathy is now:

Receiving counselling
Rebuilding trust with her family
Exiting the sugaring/domination world permanently

Although she shared her struggles with addiction with loved ones, she has not yet disclosed her involvement in online domination. Her greatest fear is that her digital past will resurface, affecting her future relationships, career, or reputation.

We reminded her of a fundamental truth:

The internet never forgets—everything we post online is public, permanent, searchable, exploitable, copiable, and for sale.

OnlyFans and Sugaring

We were recently contacted by a 19-year-old university student—we’ll call her Vanessa—who remembered hearing us speak at her school five years ago. She reached out after her Instagram and OnlyFans accounts were compromised and showing unusual activity.

Vanessa had remembered our promise:

“If you’re ever in trouble online, and don’t know where to go, contact us—we will help.”

Vanessa’s Motivation

Vanessa came from a traditional family and didn’t want her parents to know how she was funding her university education during the pandemic. Unable to find work and needing to pay for tuition, books, and housing, she turned to OnlyFans to make money.

Over the course of just three months, she earned over $25,000 CAD.

What Vanessa Was Doing

Her content included:

Hypersexualized dancing in thong-style swimsuits to music
Engaging in “tip-based” interactions with subscribers

Vanessa did not share nude images or perform sexual acts. However, she noted that many peers in the same space earned far more by posting:

Fully nude images
Live solo sex acts
Fetish content (e.g. feet pics, worn clothing, domination roleplay)

Vanessa’s friend earned nearly $80,000 in six months, but at a significantly higher cost to her privacy and mental well-being.

How OnlyFans Works

Subscribers pay a monthly fee (Vanessa’s was $5)
Those wanting “special attention” would tip an additional $60+
Sessions usually lasted 3–5 minutes

Vanessa likened the experience to an adult entertainment bar:

A cover charge to enter
Tipping for interaction
Premium fees for private shows

Where Are the Clients Coming From?

Most of Vanessa’s subscribers came from her public Snapchat, which she used as a gateway to promote her OnlyFans page.

She also mentioned:

Male creators often stream live sex acts with partners for profit
Influencers can earn additional income by referring new users—in a structure similar to pyramid schemes

Vanessa referred to this practice as “digital pimping.” So did we.

The Hidden Dangers

Although Vanessa claimed to be careful, she was aware of peers who were:

Doxxed (their identity exposed)
Extorted (blackmailed with screen-captured content)
Stalked (clients using online clues to find them in real life)

She knew of several creators whose videos and images were:

Illegally recorded
Shared without consent
Posted on pornographic websites

The Harsh Reality of OnlyFans

OnlyFans has been glamorized on social media, but the actual earnings paint a different picture:

90% of income goes to the top 10% of creators
Average creator income: $180/month
Earning $2,500/month places a person in the top 1%
For most users, a fast food job pays more per hour

Many creators are misled by influencer success stories that don’t represent typical outcomes.

What Teens Often Miss

Even if teens never meet a subscriber in person, harm still happens:

Psychological toll from objectification and degrading comments
Loss of control over who sees their content
Job loss, public shaming, and long-term consequences if their real identity is exposed

Many mistakenly believe they are “in control.” But in reality:

The subscriber holds the power—because they control the money.

This is exploitation, plain and simple.

Covert Recordings Are a Real Risk

Anything on OnlyFans:

Can be recorded without your knowledge
Can be used to extort
Can go viral, even if it was meant to be private

Once content is online, it’s public, permanent, and searchable—and often ends up in places the creator never intended.

Snapchat Premium Accounts and Monetization Risks

In addition to platforms like OnlyFans, teens are also monetizing their content using Snapchat Premium accounts. This isn’t an official feature of Snapchat—rather, it’s a user-created workaround that allows someone to place adult content behind a paywall on their existing Snapchat account.

How It Works

The user creates a private story on Snapchat.
Access to that story is granted only after a payment is made—often via:
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Cash App
- Other financial platforms

The teen links the payment platform to their Snapchat and manually grants access once payment is received.

Unlike OnlyFans, which takes a 20% cut of earnings, Snapchat Premium creators keep 100% of what they make. Because of this, many teens prefer it—and parents often don’t know it’s happening.

How Teens Keep It Hidden

Teens may use a second (burner) phone, purchased without parental knowledge, to manage their Snapchat Premium account separately.
This helps avoid discovery during casual phone checks.
The burner phone is used exclusively for their premium content, while their regular phone maintains their “public” image.

What Content Is Being Sold?

While Snapchat Premium can be used for non-sexual content, in most of the cases we’ve investigated, the content is:

Sexualized selfies or videos
Feet pics or other fetish content
Nude or semi-nude content
Sexually explicit videos, sometimes involving acts performed on camera

All of this violates Snapchat’s Terms of Service, and accounts reported for selling adult content will often be taken down.

However, once an account is deleted, teens frequently create a new one, and the cycle continues.

Emerging Tools: Monetization Apps

Teens are now using apps like Unlockt.me, which allow users to:

Monetize pictures or videos directly through a smartphone
Collect payments privately
Circumvent detection by parents or platform moderation

While Unlockt.me and similar apps claim to prohibit adult content, a quick search on TikTok or Instagram reveals multiple accounts promoting and selling nudes through these tools.

Parent Note

“How to Create a Snapchat Premium Account” is easily searchable on YouTube and other social platforms.

If you’re a parent:

Check if your teen has multiple phones.
Look for linked payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) on their device.
Review public profiles for links to “premium content” or money transfer services.
Be aware that live streaming apps—like Instagram Live, TikTok Live, and Snapchat—are also being used for sugaring and sexual exploitation.

What About Feet Pictures? ("Piggy Pics", "Grippers", or "Footography") – Are They Legal?

Over the past several months, during Q&A sessions with middle and high school students, we've noticed an increase in a specific question:

“Is it legal to sell feet pictures online?”

Surprisingly—or perhaps not—this is a thing. A quick online search will reveal countless sites dedicated to the buying and selling of foot photos. And yes, teens are participating.

Our Small Snapshot

To dig deeper, we asked our teen followers across social media:

“Do you know a teen who is selling feet pics?”

Out of 183 responses:

34 teens (19%) said “yes.”

While this is anecdotal, it clearly indicates a trend worth addressing.

⚖️ What Does the Law Say in Canada?

Many adults are surprised to learn this, but under the Criminal Code of Canada, feet pictures are not illegal, even if sold by a minor—so long as:

No genitalia, anal region, or breasts are shown
The photo is not sexual in nature
No explicit sexual activity is involved

Legal Definitions That Matter:

Child Pornography – Section 163.1(1):

Involves visual content that:

Depicts someone under 18 engaged in explicit sexual activity, or
Focuses on genital organs or the anal region for a sexual purpose.

Intimate Image – Section 162.1(2):

Involves content that:

Shows nudity (genitals, breasts, anal region) or sexual activity
Is shared without consent
Was taken under circumstances with a reasonable expectation of privacy

Feet don’t meet these thresholds.

https://youtu.be/VE7A_jihna0

But There’s a Catch

While selling feet pics may not be illegal, there are some critical risks:

1. The Buyer May Be Breaking the Law

Anyone who pays for feet pictures from someone under 18, especially in a sexual context, could be charged under:

Section 286.1(2) – Obtaining sexual services from a person under 18:

“Everyone who… communicates with anyone for the purpose of obtaining… the sexual services of a person under 18 years” is liable to up to 10 years in prison.

This includes images provided for money, even if not technically illegal to produce.

Why Parents Should Be Concerned

Even if a teen believes it’s just “a harmless way to make money,” this behaviour can:

Fuel the sexual objectification and exploitation of youth
Serve as a gateway to more intimate content (many buyers will offer more money for “just a little more”)
Attract sexually motivated adults who are testing boundaries and grooming teens

What Parents Should Do

Don’t panic—but do engage. Ask your child what they know about this trend.
Talk about the legal and emotional implications, including how something that feels small now can escalate quickly.
Explain that even if selling feet pics isn’t illegal, it’s part of a broader system that profits from youth sexualization.
Monitor if your teen has:
- Linked cash/payment apps on social profiles
- Searched for “feet finder” or similar websites
- Multiple phones or devices
Speak the truth—teens will Google your claims. If you bluff, your credibility is gone.

Financial Consequences – What the CRA Says About Sugaring and Selling Content

In a recent conversation with our business accountant, we learned something that many teens (and even parents) don’t realize:

Sugaring and selling content—yes, even feet pics—is taxable income.

According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), money earned through these activities is considered a service and must be declared as income, whether it’s made legally or not.

What Counts as Taxable Income?

Gifts from sugar daddies
Payments for pictures or videos
Money transferred via PayPal, e-transfer, Venmo, or Cash App
Profits made through OnlyFans, Snapchat Premium, or other apps

Yes—even if a teen is under 18.

Yes—even if it was a “one-time thing.”

And if a teen earns over $30,000 CAD in a calendar year, they may also be required to register and collect GST/HST.

The CRA Has a Tip Line

While the CRA may not yet be actively monitoring income from sugaring or image selling, they do have a tip line where people can anonymously report undeclared income.

Parents of teens involved in these activities could use this as an intervention strategy if all else fails.

A Strategy Used in Law Enforcement

As former police officers, we’ve seen this tactic used effectively in drug investigations:

When large amounts of cash were seized from a suspect,
Police would notify the CRA,
The CRA would then launch their own investigation and reclaim money owed in taxes, often with interest.

The same could apply to teens or young adults profiting from online content without declaring income.

For Adults Legally Engaged in Sugaring or Content Creation

If you’re over 18 and legally involved in this industry:

Make sure you're tax compliant.

The CRA doesn't care how you earned it—just that you report it.

What Is a Parent To Do?

When it comes to the digital behaviors we’ve outlined—sugaring, selling content, or sharing intimate images—it’s understandable for parents to feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to respond. But knowledge is power, and communication is key.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Absorb the Information, Then Share It

Educate yourself using credible, research-based resources like this one.
Then, share it with:

Other parents
Educators
Trusted community contacts

Also check with your local police agency to determine what’s illegal in your specific jurisdiction.

2. Avoid the “Not My Teen” Trap

We've heard it hundreds of times:

“This would never happen to my teen.”

If we had a nickel for every time a parent said that—only to later discover it had—well, we’d be independently wealthy. Good kids can still make risky choices, especially when under peer pressure or economic stress.

3. Trust Your Gut

That tingling “something’s not right” feeling? That’s a million years of evolutionary instinct trying to protect you and your child.

Listen to it.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to act.

4. Review Privacy Settings

Help your teen lock down their privacy settings on:

Instagram
Snapchat
TikTok
Facebook
Limit who can send them messages, follow them, or view their content.

5. Teach the Block-Report-Delete Rule

If someone sends your teen an unsolicited sugaring message or explicit image:

Block the sender
Report the message
Delete the interaction
(But screen-capture it first for documentation if needed.)

6. If There’s Extortion, Call Police

Do not try to navigate sextortion or doxxing alone.

Call your local law enforcement, and if you need help navigating the system, reach out to us—we can help guide you.

7. Check for a Second Phone

Is there a burner phone you don’t know about?

Teens often use a separate device for sugaring or content sales to avoid detection.

8. Unexplained Money or Items

Has your teen suddenly acquired:

Expensive clothes or accessories?
New tech or vape gear?
A noticeable change in lifestyle without a job?

That may be a red flag that money is coming from somewhere else.

9. Watch for Cash Apps

Is there a payment app installed like:

PayPal
Venmo
Cash App
Unlockt.me
Are these apps linked in their social bios?

That could be a sign they’re engaging in transactions for content or interaction.

10. Search Their Name with “OnlyFans”

We’ve helped families who were shocked to discover that their teen:

Had created an OnlyFans page, or
Was using a social media account to promote one

🔗 Check with a simple Google search of your child’s name + “OnlyFans.”

11. Listen for Language

Words like:

“Sugaring”
“Sugar baby”
“Sugar daddy”
“Pay pig”

These aren’t just slang—they may signal involvement in adult-content spaces or financial grooming online.

12. Watch for Bank Deposits

Frequent e-transfers or unexplained deposits in a teen’s account could signal transactional behavior with online strangers.

13. Understand “Companionship” is Often a Front

While some adult-to-adult sugar relationships may remain non-sexual, most teen-adult sugaring relationships eventually escalate to sexual content, grooming, and exploitation.

Parent Tip

The best defense against online exploitation isn’t an app, a filter, or a block button.
It’s a strong relationship grounded in open, honest, and ongoing conversations.

Communication Over Control

Research consistently shows that when parents:

Communicate openly
Participate in their teen’s online life
Create a judgment-free zone for questions and mistakes

…their children are far less likely to engage in risky online behaviors.

Even “Good Homes” Aren’t Immune

Sometimes, the illusion persists that “this only happens to troubled kids.”

It doesn’t.

We’ve worked with teens who:

Come from loving, supportive homes
Have strong family bonds
Are high-achieving and well-liked
Still fell into sugaring, sextortion, or OnlyFans because of financial stress, social pressure, or curiosity

The Lure of Easy Money Is Real

Especially for teens facing:

Financial hardship
Student debt
Job insecurity
Pressure to keep up with peers

And when the internet offers a seemingly risk-free way to earn quick cash, some teens may make decisions without fully understanding the long-term consequences.

What We’ve Learned

Teens don’t need lectures. They need:

Clear facts
Non-judgmental guidance
Empathy
A safe space to ask hard questions

Our motto is:

Enlighten, not frighten.

We don’t believe in scaring teens into compliance. We believe in educating them into empowerment.

💬 Final Word

The world your teen is growing up in is different from the one you did. It’s more connected, more monetized, and more complex.

So be curious.

Be present.

Be proactive.

You don’t have to be perfect—you just need to show up.

Update: May 2021–Nov 2024 – OnlyFans and Youth Exploitation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, OnlyFans exploded in popularity, growing to over 100 million users, many of whom are underage teens who have lied about their age to join the platform.

Since we first published this chapter, we’ve helped multiple teens and families who found themselves in harm’s way because of what they were doing—or what others were doing to them—on OnlyFans.

Common Misconceptions from Teens

Here’s what we keep hearing from youth involved in OnlyFans:

“It’s an easy way to make money.”
“It’s safe—I’m not physically with anyone.”
“I’m in control.”

But here’s what they often don’t realize:

1. Psychological Harm is Real

Even without physical contact, teens face:

Constant objectification
Degrading comments from subscribers
Pressure to “do more for more money”

This creates a lasting emotional toll—especially when teens rely on this income for survival.

2. Privacy Is an Illusion

Anything on OnlyFans can be screen-captured or recorded.
Content can be reposted to porn sites or shared on social media.
Teens’ real names, schools, and workplaces can be discovered—sometimes leading to stalking, sextortion, or in-person confrontation.

In fact, we’ve had cases where teens were tracked down in real life by subscribers who used digital clues to locate them.

3. “OnlyFans Managers” = Digital Pimps

Some predators are rebranding themselves as OnlyFans managers and recruiting vulnerable youth by offering to “help grow their following” or “manage their content.”

Make no mistake:

A pimp by any other name is still a pimp.

4. Earnings Are Misleading

Contrary to the hype:

Top creators (often already famous) make most of the money.
The average monthly income is around $180.
Creating constant new content is not passive—it becomes a full-time hustle.

To earn $2,500/month (top 1%), a creator must constantly produce and engage—usually at great personal cost.

🔗 New Investigative Reports

June 2024 – Tech Report Article
🔗 The Tech Report: OnlyFans Statistics

July 2024 – Reuters Investigation
🔗 Reuters: Youth Exploitation on OnlyFans

November 2024 – Reuters Follow-Up
🔗 Reuters: OnlyFans and Trafficking

These articles confirm what we already knew:

OnlyFans has become a hub for youth sexual exploitation.

https://youtu.be/D-8PeCOXFaw

Final Message to Parents and Caregivers

OnlyFans is marketed as empowering, private, and profitable. But for many youth—especially those who are economically or emotionally vulnerable—it can become a pathway to:

Digital addiction
Sexual coercion
Sextortion
Permanent reputational harm
And yes—criminal victimization

Talk to your teen.

Listen to their world.

Equip them with facts and empathy—not fear.

Because if we don’t talk to them, someone else will—and that someone might not have their best interest at heart.