Sexting is the shortened term for sex texting and involves sending sexually explicit messages or photos by text message or other electronic messaging system. Although sending sexually explicit messages or photos is generally legal between consenting adults (retransmitting them to others is not) it is a crime for adults or minors (under the age of 18, for example) to send indecent visual depictions (photos, videos, images) of themselves or others to minors. And it is a crime for minors to send indecent visual depictions of themselves to adults or to other minors.

These laws vary from state to state and violations may be prosecuted under statutes regarding the sending of obscene material to seduce a minor; distribution of harmful materials to a minor; distributing or displaying harmful or prurient material to a minor; child pornography laws; cyberstalking; revenge pornography; and harassment. Such laws may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the state and the specific circumstances of the alleged violation. Violations of these laws have serious consequences for adults and for minors, including potential jail or prison time and required registration as a sex offender.

Criminal offenses related to sexting are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In North Dakota, sexting laws prohibit the creation, possession, and distribution of sexually explicit images by and of minors, which is considered child pornography. Adults who send sexually explicit material to minors, or minors who send such material to adults or other minors, may be prosecuted under various statutes. These include laws against the distribution of obscene material, corruption of minors, and child pornography. Depending on the severity of the offense, these actions can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Consequences for violations can be severe, including incarceration and mandatory registration as a sex offender. North Dakota law also addresses issues such as cyberstalking and revenge pornography, which can be related to sexting when they involve the distribution of explicit images without consent. It's important to note that while sexting between consenting adults is generally legal, sharing those images without consent is not and can lead to legal repercussions.