Talk to your child about sharing pictures online

It is unacceptable to share photos and video of others without their consent. If someone shares an image of your child online without consent, they are violating your child's right to privacy, and if the people in the images are under 18 and are nude or engaged in a sexual act, they can be charged with sharing child pornography.

All children and young people must know good behaviour on the internet and the consequences that can be associated with illegal sharing of images.

Here, your children's teachers and especially you as parents play a big role.

5 good tips: How to talk to your child about sharing pictures online

Recognize that social media is an important part of children's lives

Social media and image sharing are an important and integral part of the vast majority of children's lives and social relationships. You can inquire about social media and photo sharing and acknowledge the answers your child comes up with

Give room for doubt and conversation

Show your child that it can be difficult to navigate the internet and to know what is allowed and what is not allowed. Therefore emphasize the importance of your child always coming to you with his or her doubts, questions and dilemmas.

Be a good role model for your child

As an adult, you should be a good role model and, for example, pay attention to how you share pictures on social media. For example, you can talk to your child before sharing photos with your child on them.

Familiarize yourself with the legislation and talk to your child about consequences

Familiarize yourself with the legislation and talk to your child about both legislation and ethics concerning digital image sharing. In this connection, talk about the consequences of sharing images without consent.

The consequences can be both of a social nature in relation to what illegal image sharing means for those affected - and for the insecurity it creates in the community. There may also be legal and criminal consequences for the person who shares

.

Tell your child that anonymous counseling is available

Tell your child that there are various options for getting anonymous advice if you have questions about social relationships and photo sharing online. For example, visit Privatsnak.dk or Sexlinien.dk and investigate together what questions and dilemmas other young people have about image sharing and social relationships. Your child can feel safe to talk about other young people rather than you asking about your child's personal experiences.

How old do you have to be to share a nude photo?

If you are under the age of 15, you must not share nude photos of yourself with others.

When you are between 15-17 years old, you can send and receive nude photos with others who are between 15-17 years old or older, if there is an agreement to that effect.

Nude photos and videos with nude children and young people under 18, which are shared with others can be child pornography. It can be punished with up to 6 years in prison.

If you are over 18, you may freely share nude photos and videos of yourself with others over 18.

What images are illegal to share?

It is illegal to publish or forward nude photos and nude videos of others online without the consent of those involved.

It is a breach of §264d, which is the Privacy Act. Unless you are younger than 15 - and below the criminal minimum age - you can be punished with up to six months in prison.

If you receive a nude photo without your consent, it can be considered sexual assault and a breach of modesty. It can be reported. 

It is also illegal and punishable to use other people's photos online without permission and to forward people's private photos without consent. Even if they are not intimate.

Can you delete a picture that has been shared online?

You have several options if you have shared a photo or video online that you would like deleted. You can find help and guidance at sletdet.dk.

If you receive sexual or offensive images, without having obtained permission from the person in the image, the best thing you can do is to delete it immediately.