Sexuality and relationships online

Dare to talk directly with your child about these topics early on. Explain that trust in relationships is important, but boundaries must also be respected—here, the principle "my body belongs to me" applies. Encourage your child to only do things they feel comfortable with. An open conversation can help. Make it clear, in a calm manner, that content showing sexual representations can be shared uncontrollably and that it is difficult to remove once it has been spread.

The dissemination of such content can lead to serious problems like sextortion. Sextortion is a combination of the words "sex" and the English word "extortion." Adolescents are blackmailed with their intimate images or videos for financial gain. They may be threatened with having their photos posted in class chats or on social media.

In such situations, young people often feel desperate and tend to blame themselves. It is important to support your child and avoid making threats, such as taking away their phone. This builds trust and encourages them to continue confiding in you.

Provide clear guidance: Sexting is not inherently bad, but private content should not be shared lightly. Support your child in dealing with difficult situations, such as when images have been forwarded without consent. With the right support and open conversations, you can help your child navigate relationships and sexuality confidently and safely in the digital space.

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