I was almost suicidal

James, a 17- year- old who called ChildLine, was labelled a pervert after he sent a sexually explicit video to his girlfriend.

He said: “My friends and I talk very openly about sexting, our experiences within our relationships, and the sort of things we’ve sent each other. So it can seem like everyone’s doing it.”

The fact that sexting has become somewhat normal within our society can often lead young people to underestimating the risks that could occur.

James said: “There are definitely risks involved. Someone saw a video message I had sent to a previous girlfriend, took a screenshot and posted it online. “They called me a pervert and lots of people I knew saw it – it was clearly me pictured.”

Once an image or text has been sent, it cannot be unsent.

It is easy to lose control of an image as you cannot guarantee where it will end up and who will see it. This can lead young people (and adults) to feeling severe humiliation and a sense that things have spiralled out of their control.

James said: “I was completely devastated and, to be honest, almost suicidal.

“I got the picture taken down eventually but by that stage people had ‘unfriended’ me and the damage was done.

“It is always important to think before you send a text or image of the consequence that could ensue. How would you feel if your parent saw the picture, or your teachers and classmates?”  ChildLine can be contacted on 0800 11 11.