Sexting

There is a growing trend among children and young people to take indecent photographs of themselves (and sometimes even of friends) to send on to each other or post in public places. 

This could be on the internet - for example on Facebook - or by sending the photos to each other on their mobile phones.

Sending images in this way is known as 'sexting'.  Information from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency (CEOP) suggests that this practice is prevalent among young people.

Why Do They Do It? 

While it might sound a surprising idea, many young people see it as 'harmless fun' - often thinking it is a good way to show someone they like and trust them.

Others may see it as a modern way to push boundaries and experiment with risk taking, particularly as they become more socially active and sexually aware.

What Are The Risks?

CEOP receive daily reports of harassment after private photos have been circulated. This risk comes when children and young people lose control over where the images are circulated.

The images could get into the wrong hands in a number of ways.  A simple example would be that a child or young person loses their mobile telephone (which contains images of them).

A further common example is where a young person sends a ‘sext’ message to their boyfriend or girlfriend.  When the relationship ends and the partner decides to circulate for ‘revenge’ or ‘a laugh’.  This also puts that person who originally sent the images in a vulnerable position, and can often lead others to bully and harass them.

Once an image is on the internet, it can be freely copied by anybody.  This could include people who have a sexual interest in children.  CEOP report that a number of ‘self-taken' images are appearing on paedophile chat sites and forums.

What Does The Law Say?

Children who are ‘sexting’ may actually be committing criminal offences.

If a teenager were to have in their possession an indecent image of another minor, they would technically be in possession of an indecent image of a child, which is an offence under the Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988. 

If someone is prosecuted for these offences, they may be placed on the sex offenders register, potentially for some considerable time.

We do not want to prosecute children, we want to protect them.  We can only do that with your help.

What Can You Do?

Children and young people may not realise that what they are doing is illegal or that it may be potentially harmful to them in the future.

What you can do as parents/carers is educate your children to these dangers.  Tell them that this behaviour could come back to haunt them in later life and that once an image is on the internet – you can never get it back.

• Educate them around the risks of sharing personal information and reiterate the SMART rules.
• Keep yourself in the know about e-safety: download our guide to the 5 PS for parents
• Catch up with Wes - West Mercia's fun way for children of all ages to learn about internet safety
• Visit www.thinkyouknow.co.uk - CEOP's site with information on internet safety
• You can also visit www.cybermentors.org.uk for online support and advice about cyberbullying and much more.