For a positive sexting experience, it is very important to handle the images you receive responsibly. In particular, the images should not be forwarded without the consent of the person shown. This is because forwarding can be embarrassing for the person shown. In addition, recipients of sexting images are liable to prosecution if they forward them without the consent of the person shown. At best, “only” a violation of the Art Copyright Act comes into consideration and primarily triggers claims for deletion and injunctive relief, but can also lead to compensation for immaterial damage in the form of compensation for pain and suffering or even criminal prosecution. Depending on the age of the person shown and the type of erotic image, however, the criminal offense of child, youth or adult pornography can quickly be fulfilled.
Caution is also required with depictions of children and young people if the recipient wants to save them for personal purposes. Here too, the threshold for child and youth pornography can quickly be crossed.
It is also possible to receive sexting images involuntarily, as they were sent without being asked and forced upon them. In such cases, young people should speak to someone they trust and discuss further steps. The Nummer gegen Kummer (nummergegenkummer.de) can also be a good point of contact.
In principle, you can also block the sender in the social media or smartphone settings.
From a legal perspective, there is also the option of filing a complaint with the police, for example, and asserting claims for injunctive relief under civil law. When it comes to the removal of online content, the complaints offices are also the right point of contact.
