Hot sex on the net

Sexting - the exchange of erotic images and texts - is generally regarded as risky behaviour. Most recommendations are correspondingly clear: Young people should only do this with the utmost restraint, if at all.

The risk of the images falling into the wrong hands - and thus reaching a wider public - is indeed high. This in turn can have devastating consequences for a teenager 's life, as recent examples show.

Right to one's own image

Legally, young people are treading on delicate ground when it comes to sexting. The age of consent in Switzerland is 16, but sex between younger teenagers is not a criminal offence if the age difference is less than three years. However, making pornographic material accessible to children under the age of 16 is illegal, as is its production. So if two 15-year-olds produce and exchange relevant images or videos, they are liable to prosecution. Parents should make this fact clear to their adolescent children.

And: In principle, the right to one's own image applies. So anyone who publishes, passes on or shows a photo of another person without their consent is liable to prosecution - regardless of age. In my opinion, this point cannot be communicated clearly enough.

Parents should not only discuss the legal situation regarding sexting with their children, but also talk openly about how they can minimise the risk if they do it. There are a few simple rules that can eliminate many dangers without immediately killing the desire to lust:

• Less is more. A photo is often more erotic if it only works with hints instead of naked facts.
• The face should not be recognisable.
• Show instead of send. Pictures can be shown on your own smartphone instead of being sent.
• Build trust: There should be a close relationship of trust with the recipient of such images.
• Delete photos regularly. The more erotic photos you have lying around on your mobile phone, the greater the risk of misuse.