What is sexting?

Sexting implies sending and exchanging intimate content, may it be messages, selfies/pictures or amateur videos. These are usually sent via instant messaging services or social networks. There are various reasons behind why sexting occurs. When consensual, it can for example be considered a proof of love or trust, a source of mutual excitement, a test of courage or a flirtatious act. Social networks proved to be particularly valuable during the Covid-19 pandemic as they helped people to keep in touch with others, including distanced partners, despite the physical distance between them. These circumstances potentially increased the likelihood of sexting. However, many people still lack specific knowledge about the legal framework surrounding sexting and are unaware about the related risks and the points of contact they can turn to for help and advice, for example if intimate pictures of them unintentionally end up circulating online. 

With this in mind, BEE SECURE published the ‘Naked on the net?’ guide back in January 2021. This document provides information about the legal basis and the risks implied by sexting, gives victims practical advice on how to react in difficult situations, and contains specific tips about the legal framework. This teaching unit now deals with the topic of sexting from an educational perspective so that interested teachers can broach it with their pupils. 

Who is this teaching unit intended for? 

This teaching unit is made available to the teaching staff at secondary schools in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to help them address the topic of sexting with their pupils (from year 7). It aims to help pupils to foster and develop the following skills: 

• Make well-thought-out decisions about sending intimate content; 
• Develop an understanding of the possible reasons for sexting so that pupils don’t judge the victims of sexting-related dilemmas; 
• If they find themselves in difficult situations, they know what to do and where to find support if intimate content has been shared; 
• Get into the habit of seeking help in difficult situations; 
• Trust the experts who listen to them; 
• Be aware of the legal framework and their own rights (following the International Convention on the Rights of the Child). 

What does this teaching unit consist of? 

The teaching unit is entirely based on the short film ‘Shareable?’ video that was filmed in Norway and adapted, with kind permission, into French and German for use in Luxembourg. 

The video focuses on a young girl who falls victim to an exchange of intimate content. The main topics are sexting and sextortion, which are dealt with in nine chapters in the teaching unit. 

Each chapter features questions that are aimed at the class, and worksheets are also available for some of the chapters. Teachers can either use the nine chapters of the teaching unit with the individual videos lasting around two minutes or the entire film which lasts 15 minutes. 

The videos are protected by copyright and are exclusively available for awareness-raising purposes in Luxembourg. Teaching staff in Luxembourg can access the videos on a specific platform. 

The teaching unit is available in German and French on the BEE SECURE website. 

This teaching unit is the fruit of cooperation between the Police Luxembourg, the BEE SECURE initiative, represented by the Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) and the KJT advisory service, the Service de Coordination de la Recherche et de l’Innovation pédagogiques et technologiques (SCRIPT), the public prosecutor’s office, the Service des droits de l’enfant and the Centre psycho-social et d’accompagnement scolaire (CePAS). 

Find out more about the work of the Luxembourg Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services, or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.