Introduction: The Digital Foreplay Sexting has become a standard part of modern dating and relationships. It builds anticipation and keeps the spark alive when you’re apart. But sending intimate photos or texts comes with risks. To keep it fun and safe, you need to follow the rules of the road.
Rule #1: The Enthusiastic “Yes” Just because you are dating someone doesn’t mean they want a nude photo popping up on their phone while they are showing a meme to their boss.
- Ask First: “I’m thinking about you in the shower. Want to see?” is a sexy way to ask for consent.
- Check the Context: Don’t send risky texts during work hours unless you know they are on a break.
Rule #2: Keep Your Face Out of It If you are sending nudes, the smartest safety move is anonymity.
- The Crop: Crop your face out of the photo.
- The Background: Watch out for identifiable features in the background (like your unique bedroom posters, a diploma on the wall, or a tattoo).
- Why: Even if you trust your partner, phones get hacked and cloud accounts get leaked. If your face isn’t in it, you have plausible deniability.
Rule #3: Don’t Be a “Ghost” Receiver If someone sends you a vulnerable, sexy photo, do not leave them on “Read.”
- Validate Them: It takes courage to hit send. Reply immediately with a compliment (“You look incredible”) or a reaction. Silence breeds insecurity.
Rule #4: Delete, Delete, Delete If you break up, the honorable thing to do is delete their nudes. Keeping “revenge porn” or just “souvenir” photos without consent is a major violation of trust and, in many jurisdictions, illegal.
Conclusion Sexting is a team sport. When done with respect and safety in mind, it’s one of the best tools for maintaining desire in a busy world.
