This research explores how parents and caregivers understand, talk about, and respond to consensual and non-consensual digital image sharing (commonly known as sexting) among youth. As digital communication becomes central to young people’s social lives, image sharing can represent both healthy sexual expression and serious risk when consent is absent. 

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This qualitative study aims to explore whether and how parents discuss digital image sharing with their children, how they understand youth sexual expression and digital consent, and how they respond when issues arise. It also aims to investigate how parents interpret and communicate about digital sexual consent with their children, with the goal of developing accessible and evidence-informed educational resources, designed with and for parents/caregivers, to help them better communicate with and protect their children online. 

 

This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and is led by Dr. Faye Misha at the University of Toronto.