The Nudeteenleaks Sexting Scandal

Sexting scandals that have drawn global attention are yet another reminder of how perilous image-based abuse can be, even without direct language being used against its targets. Here, victims include mostly young girls whose faces were used to associate nude bodies.

Cyberbullying, also known as nonconsensual intimate imagery that violates state and federal law, is illegal under both state and federal jurisdiction. It can lead to serious consequences for those creating and sharing these images; not only children are affected but adults too are being victimized. It’s important to realize that not just kids but adults too are being targeted by these apps.

Parents and educators need to teach kids the value of respecting and valuing each person’s body autonomy, including respecting and valuing those of others. Adults should report any suspected sexting activity involving teenagers using nudify apps or AI-powered software to create images with sexually suggestive or inappropriate content that appear on them, to law enforcement.

Prior to these apps being made available, perpetrators could create such images using Photoshop or other programs; however, this was time-consuming and technical proficiency consuming process. Now, creating and disseminating such images has become much quicker, easier, and cost-efficient.

NCMEC also provides a free tool called Take It Down that can remove offensive images from participating social media services. For more information about this and other resources offered by NCMEC’s eSafety site.