Konkrete Situationen · about 12 min
Talking About Sexting and Intimate Images
Talk openly about pressure, consent, sharing, and risks without shame.
Connect → Understand → Protect → Set boundaries → Follow up
The CALM method (RUHIG)
R — Ruhe bewahren: Bevor du beginnst: kurz durchatmen, eigenes Handy weglegen, nicht im größten Ärger starten, wenn möglich einen ruhigen Ort wählen und genügend Zeit einplanen.
U — Unvoreingenommen zuhören: Nicht sofort bewerten. Nicht unterbrechen. Keine schnellen Schuldzuweisungen. Keine voreiligen Strafen ankündigen.
H — Herausfinden, was passiert ist: Nutze offene Fragen statt Verhör.
I — Im nächsten Schritt gemeinsam handeln: Sicherheit prüfen, Beweise sichern, blockieren und melden, Konten schützen, Schule oder Plattform einbeziehen, professionelle Hilfe holen — wenn nötig.
G — Gespräch später wieder aufnehmen: Ein Gespräch löst nicht immer alles. Vereinbart, wann ihr wieder sprecht, was bis dahin passiert, wer was übernimmt und woran ihr erkennt, ob weitere Hilfe nötig ist.
Goal of the conversation
Talk openly about pressure, consent, sharing, and risks without shame.
A good opening
Many young people feel pressure around pictures. You can always talk to us, even if something has already happened.
Helpful questions
- Has someone pressured you?
- Was anything shared?
- Is someone threatening you?
- Are you afraid someone will post something?
- What do you need right now?
Key points
- Once a picture is sent, it can be saved.
- Disappearing messages can be photographed.
- Pressure is not consent.
- Forwarding without permission can cause serious harm.
- The child can ask for help without feeling ashamed.
What to avoid
- “How could you do that?”
- “This is your fault.”
- “You’ll regret this for the rest of your life.”
Concrete next steps
- Don't pay
- Don't send any more pictures
- Save the evidence
- Stop all contact
- Inform a trusted adult
- Report to a helpline or the police
When professional help is needed
- If you're being blackmailed, threatened, or exploited, ask for help immediately.
Printable conversation card
Talking About Sexting and Intimate Images
A good opening
You can always talk to us, even if something has already happened.
Helpful questions
- Did someone pressure you?
- Was something shared?
- Is someone threatening you?
- What do you need right now?
What to avoid
- Blame
- Shaming
- Dramatizing
Concrete next steps
- Don't pay anything
- Save evidence
- Cut off contact
- Ask for help
Need urgent help?
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services. For helplines:
Open help lines