For some, sending nudes can be an intimate yet empowering experience, while for others it can be an uncomfortable and risky one. Therefore, I will be looking at both sides of the same coin to both enlighten you to the possible advantages, and warn you of the possible risks that could happen if you send a nude.
First, let’s go back to the basics. We’ve all most likely received one, and whether we’ve sent one or not, we’ve all most definitely taken one, but what actually is a ‘nude’? Well, the clues in the name, a nude is simply a photo of someone without any clothes on, usually exposing their intimate or private areas. So if that’s all nudes are, why are people so obsessed with them? Sending and receiving nudes can be an intimate activity you can do with your partner. It can help spice up their sex lives of many couples and may open doors to many sexting related activities such as mutual masturbation. Lockdown meant sexting and sending nudes were some of the only sexual interactions we could have.
It can be a fun, empowering and even rewarding experience as the photos and the reaction to the images can aid body confidence and boost self-esteem.
Sending consensual nudes is often seen as a celebration of one’s naked body. It can be a fun, empowering and even rewarding experience as the photos and the reaction to the images can aid body confidence and boost self-esteem. Nudes can also be used to make money , which is why so many girls (and guys) are now getting Onlyfans. Many are even making thousands a month on the platform where they sell nudes to their subscribers. This can be an empowering way for many people to celebrate their naked body and sexuality as well as making money.
But what happens when that ‘trust’ is broken or when a nude is not so well received? A nude photograph can easily be screenshotted and sent around which could result in the sender not only become a victim of bullying, but it can also ruin their reputation and mental health. With this also comes the possibility of ruining one’s job prospects if their nudes resurface, which since nothing is ever deleted from the internet, is a possibility that is unfortunately getting more likely as technology advances.
We have all heard stories of angry exes using the nudes their partner sent to them when they were together as a form of revenge porn and blackmail, which can damage the sender’s self and public image. This reputation built from sending nudes around can be dangerous, especially if the sender is female, as the sender may not be able to distinguish a man’s intentions when he starts messaging her. It can be unclear if he is genuinely interested in her or if he just wants nudes. In some extreme cases this unfortunately may lead to men taking advantage of a female sender, or vice versa.
Sharing nudes if you’re under the age of 18 is actually illegal as it is classed as child porn.
However, some could argue that the fact you’re willing to send nudes shows that you should know the risks of sending them, yet vulnerable and naive teenagers might be unaware of the risks. Sharing nudes if you’re under the age of 18 is actually illegal as it is classed as child porn, therefore sending nudes if you are underage is a big no!
Overall, in my opinion I’m all for sending nudes as it can be empowering but I believe everyone should be careful of whom they send them to and be aware of the risks. Personally, I would only send them to someone I can trust one hundred per cent, such as a long term partner, but ultimately it’s up to you to dictate whether you feel comfortable enough to send them.
