From Sexting to Deepfakes and Everything In Between: How Teen Intimate Images Are Shared Without Consent
- The White Hatter
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Many parents and caregivers think of the sharing of intimate images as something that only happens through deliberate sexting between teens. It has been our experience, in the hundreds of cases where we have helped teens and their families deal with these incidents, that the reality is far broader and often far more complex. The non-consensual distribution of intimate, nude, or sexual images can happen in many different ways, including situations where a teen never intended for anyone else to see the image, or never created an image at all.
Understanding how these situations occur is an important first step in helping parents and caregiver respond calmly, legally, and effectively if it happens to their youth or teen.
How Non-Consensual Sharing Happens
Non-consensual sharing of intimate images does not follow a single pattern. It can include:
A sextorter following through on a threat and sending a teen’s private images to friends, classmates, teammates, or family members.
A teen sharing a consensual image with a dating partner, believing it will remain private, only to have that image forwarded to others through group chats or social media.
A private image saved to a phone that is later accessed via and account compromise, or unauthorized friend access, and then shared publicly or semi-publicly.
A sexual deepfake created using an app or AI tool, where a teen’s face is placed onto a sexual image or video and sent to peers. (1)
A teen being secretly recorded during sexual activity, with that footage uploaded to a pornography site or shared through messaging apps.
In many of these situations, the teen is not being reckless or careless. They are being betrayed, exploited, or targeted using technology that moves faster than most families realize.
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. (2)
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. (3)
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.
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. (4)We would also encourage watching our in-depth video on consent and Canadian law for a clearer understanding (5) as well as two articles we have written, that takes a deeper look at consent (6)(7)
Why Consent Matters More Than the Image Itself
A common mistake is focusing only on the image and asking, “Why did they take it?” or “Why did they send it?” That framing misses the core issue. The harm occurs when an image is shared without consent.
Consent is what separates a private moment from exploitation. When an image is shared without permission, the responsibility lies with the person who distributed it, not the person who sent the nude to a trusted someone else, or was targeted through manipulation or technology.
This distinction is critical for parents and caregivers because how you frame the situation will strongly influence whether your child feels supported or shamed.
In some situations, non-consensually shared nude or sexual images of a child may meet the legal definition of “Child Sexual Abuse Material”, commonly know as CSAM.
This can include situations where:
The image was created through coercion, threats, or manipulation.
The image is used to extort, control, or silence a child.
The image is distributed broadly, sold, or uploaded to adult platforms.
The image was created or altered using AI or deepfake technology without the child’s involvement.
Parents and caregivers are often surprised to learn that even if a teen originally took the image themselves, its distribution without consent can still carry serious legal implications for the person who shared it.
For youth and teens, the damage is rarely limited to embarrassment. Many experience:
Fear that the image will never disappear.
Loss of trust in friends or romantic partners.
Anxiety about school, social spaces, or online platforms.
Shame that prevents them from asking for help.
In cases involving sextortion or deepfakes, youth and teens may also feel trapped, believing that silence is safer than speaking up. This is why parental and caregiver response matters so much in the early moments.
If your child discloses that an intimate image has been shared without their consent, your first response should be calm, supportive, and focused on safety.
Reassure your child that they are not in trouble and that you are on their side.
Avoid demanding details immediately. Focus first on stopping further harm.
Preserve evidence such as messages, usernames, URLs, and screenshots without resharing the content.
Report the situation to the platform involved and, when appropriate, to local law enforcement or child protection resources.
Seek professional support if your child shows signs of distress, anxiety, or withdrawal.
Most importantly, remind your child that what happened to them is not a reflection of their character or worth.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We have created a whole “Emergency Protocol” for parents, caregivers, and teens to use as a guide if an intimate image or nude has become public and is threatened to be used in cases likes sextortion that you can find on our website. (8)
While no parent or caregiver can eliminate risk entirely, ongoing conversations make a real difference. Teens need to understand:
That consent applies to images just as much as it applies to physical interactions.
That AI tools can be misused to create fake sexual content using real faces.
That asking for help early can limit harm and protect others.
That parents are a safe place to land when something goes wrong.
The goal is not to scare teens into silence or avoidance. The goal is to equip them with knowledge, language, and trust so they know they are not alone if the worst happens.
Non-consensual sharing of intimate images is not a “teen mistake” problem. It is a misuse of trust, power, consent, and technology problem.
When parents and caregivers shift the focus from blame to protection, accountability, and support, youth and teens are far more likely to come forward early. That early intervention can make a meaningful difference in limiting harm and helping a young person recover.
Open dialogue, informed awareness, and calm intervention strategies remain the most effective tools parents have in an increasingly complex digital world, especially when it comes to intimate images or nudes that were non-consensually shared with others.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Fats Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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