Requests for Nude Pics

Discussion Guide

We’ve heard from kids that they are being solicited online to send nudes as young as age 9. In our recent survey, 1 in 4 kids said they were asked for nudes at least once a month or more. As scary and disturbing as that sounds, there are ways to help keep your child safe.

Kids 10–17 More Comfortable

illustration of a thumbs down inside a chat bubble

Introduction

You can set the stage for prevention by having early conversations now. This dialogue can help prevent your child from thinking this type of situation is their fault, since kids at this age don’t always understand the context of a situation. Make a plan with them for blocking solicitations from strangers online, what to do if someone threatens them, and how to stand up to peer pressure.

In this guide you will:

Talk through scenarios with your child and give them resources to help.
Tell your child that you will always be there for them no matter what.
Make sure your child knows how to say no and what consent means.

What to expect from your kid

Your child might be open about creepy DMs and chats online, or they might be shy and not want to talk about these topics. Keep your tone even and calm, strong reactions can unintentionally shut the conversation down. Take a few deep breaths, and make sure your child knows they can come to you if something makes them uncomfortable or if they need help.

First steps

By having this conversation, you are helping your child know what to do and can prevent them from being surprised by a request. Make a plan and talk about how to report or block someone. Here are some key moments to start the conversation:

They begin to show an interest in social media.
They have a social media account, whether managed by you or themselves.
The topic is covered in a movie or TV show you are watching.
They tell you about something similar that happened to someone they know.

Do your friends ever ask you to send them pictures?

Conversation Script

This is one of several conversations related to the convergence of sexual exploration and technology. Here are some other guides to help you through the nuances of these topics, and empower your kids with knowledge.