Advice for Young People
Connecting Online and Consent
Connecting with people online is normal. It's a great way to make friends, form new relationships, and explore communities. Healthy relationships, whether online or offline, should always be based on respect, honesty, and trust.
It is important to remember that:
- It can be hard to know who to trust.
- Sharing personal information or images can be risky.
- Your comfort is key—you should never be pressured or expected to do something you don't want to.
Understanding Consent
Consent is about giving permission for something to happen. It is essential in all relationships, including online ones.
Consent must be:
- Freely Given: You must be able to say yes or no without fear, pressure, or feeling guilty.
- Informed: You must understand exactly what you are consenting to.
- Specific: Saying yes to one thing (like a video chat) doesn't mean you have consented to something else (like sharing a private image).
- Revocable: You can change your mind at any time. Even if you have consented before, you can always say no later. If someone ignores you when you take consent away, that is wrong.
What to Do if Things Go Wrong
If something has happened that makes you feel scared, worried, or ashamed, it is not your fault.
- Don't Reply to Threats: If someone is trying to threaten or blackmail you (coercion) or demanding more photos, do not reply. Do not send any more photos.
- Seek Support: No matter what is happening, you should always feel like you can talk to a safe and trusted adult. This could be a parent, carer, youth worker, or teacher.
- Report and Remove: If nude images or videos of you have been shared without your permission, remember that sharing these images is a crime. You can use the IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) and Childline Report Remove tool to report images to be taken down from the internet.
Get Help Now
If you need to talk to someone, or you are worried about yourself or a friend, please visit our dedicated support page: