Porn and real life. Scenario 11 of 15. Faked images

It's not even real

Your friend Callum shows you his phone, laughing. He has used an app to make a fake nude of Beth, a woman you both know from work, out of a photo from her social media. It looks convincing.

"Relax," he says. "It's not even real."

What is the best call?

Laugh. He is right, it is only a fake.

Not the best call

Beth did not agree to it, and anyone who sees it will see her. Fake or not, she is the one who would be humiliated if it got out. Laughing tells Callum it is fine, and makes it more likely he shows other people.

Ask him to send it to you so you can see how good it is.

Not the best call

Now there are two copies, and he has shared it. In England and Wales, sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime, and the law covers images that only appear to show the person. You would be asking him to commit it.

Tell him, "That's not OK. She never agreed to that. Delete it." Make sure he does.

Good call

You have said plainly why it is wrong: not because it might be found out, but because Beth did not consent. Callum is far more likely to listen to a friend than to anyone else. Deleting it now is the only safe outcome.

Say nothing to Callum, but warn Beth.

Could be better

Beth may well want to know, and that comes from the right place. But the image still exists and Callum has not been challenged. It could also frighten her about something you could have stopped at the source.

The principle

A faked sexual image of a real person is done to that person. "It isn't real" is not consent. Do not make them, do not pass them on, and tell friends who do to delete them.

Where to get help and advice

These UK services are free to use. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

ChildlineFor anyone under 19, about anything, including things they have seen online.
NSPCCAdvice for parents and carers on talking to children about porn and online safety.
Internet MattersStep-by-step guides to parental controls on phones, consoles and broadband.
BrookHonest information about sex and relationships for young people.
Internet Watch FoundationReport sexual images or videos of anyone under 18. You can do it anonymously.
Revenge Porn HelplineFor adults whose intimate images have been shared, or threatened to be.
RelateRelationship and sex therapy, including when porn is causing problems.
Stop It NowConfidential, anonymous help if you are worried about what you are looking at online.