"If you want to write, send pictures, videos, or voice messages to your partner, I recommend WhatsApp," said Gabe Turner, the editor of Security Baron. And while there are lots of apps to choose from, one expert told us WhatsApp is one of the best. Try WhatsApp if you want your sexts to be secure.Īll of our experts recommended using an app when sending sexts as a more secure way to create those steamy shots. Rob Black, CISSP, the founder and managing principal of Fractional CISO, reminded us of the release of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' private photos and messages, which dominated headlines in early 2019. The harsh reality is that there is no such thing as truly safe sexting, as our cybersecurity experts told us. "Sexting is safe and fun when both people choose to participate and are completely comfortable with it."Ĭoats added, "If you or your partner is hesitant to sext, you haven't set up clear boundaries and guidelines, or you or your partner have not been informed on how the technology you are using can work for or against you, take a pause and really think it over." Acknowledge the risks Neither of you should be sexting out of a sense of obligation or if you have any hesitation," Zimmerman told INSIDER. That space can help you check in with your own feelings as well as keep you safe and feeling confident in your decisions." "There is power in taking a mindful moment. "Although sexting can feel spontaneous and exhilarating, it is important to leave a space between feeling spontaneous and actually hitting the send button," said Coats. Share your expectations (in detail) and come to an agreement about what will be sent, how it will be sent, and how often you'd like to engage in sexting." It's best to be very clear in advance what each of you wants to send and receive. "Sexting without prior consent or agreement is a form of harassment and can cause distress. "Make sure the person you are contacting is a willing participant in the exchange," Zimmerman told INSIDER. Jessa Zimmerman, a relationship therapist and author of Sex Without Stress, agreed, adding that sexting without prior consent can cause distress or be viewed as harassment. Just like it is always preferable to enact safe sex and consent practices, it is just as important to practice safe and consensual sexting." "Unfortunately, there are times when people take advantage of an experience that should be safe and fun. "Sexting can be a great way to connect intimately with a partner when you are not together in the same location, when you are wanting to spice up your sex life, or when you are exploring your own sexuality or your sexuality with a new partner," said Melissa Coats, psychotherapist and owner at Coats Counseling, LLC. Always receive your partner's expressed consent before snapping those sexy photos or videos, as our experts explained to INSIDER.
IS WECHAT SAFE TRUSTWORTH FULL
No matter how well or how long you've known your partner, you should never send an unsolicited sext - full stop. Make sure it's consensual well before hitting 'send' INSIDER spoke with two sex therapists and several cybersecurity experts, and they told us the best ways to help practice extreme caution with sensitive images and texts. Between nude celebrity photo hacks and an increasing number of victims of revenge porn, there are no foolproof ways to ensure your privacy, especially after you send an explicit photo or message to someone else's device. īut it's not just coupled-up adults that are sexting - sexting among teens has increased, with a 2018 study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealing that 14.8% and 27.4% of teens admitting to sending and receiving sexts, a number that has steadily increased since 2009, when smartphones and tablets began to gain prevalence for many people.Įven though it's common doesn't mean it's safe. Recent studies say 74% of American adults and 67% of international adults admit to sending or receiving explicit texts, photos, or videos, and most of them say they are in committed relationships.