Sexting

What is sexting?

Sexting generally refers to the sending of sexually explicit images via text, email, MSN or through social networking sites. For example, this could be a picture of a boy or young man exposing himself or a young woman in a state of undress.

There could be many reasons why young people would want to take these sorts of pictures and send them to someone else. It could be that two young people who are in a relationship want to prove their love or commitment to each other; it could be that someone is looking to start a relationship with someone else or it could be that they simply want to show off.

Background

Most young people today are entirely comfortable with recording their entire lives online – much like other generations used to do in a diary.

These days though, this often includes uploading and sharing photos, status messages on what has been happening in their lives or how they are feeling, and texting back and forth. While this ‘finger on the pulse, share all’ culture has some benefits, it can also create an environment in which teenagers and young people make impulsive decisions without thinking through the possible consequences. Often times, they are only a click away from doing something digitally that they would not normally do in the real world.

Consequences

While sending sexually explicit messages or pictures carries enough problems of its own, it can have real consequences if the content is shared with others – either by people forwarding it on using messages or emails or by uploading it onto a social networking site or website. This could result in immediate consequences, possibly within the school environment, or more serious consequences for later in life such as if a prospective college, university or employer were to see it.

Top Tips:

• Talk to children about sexting and the consequences - don’t wait for something to happen. We know it isn’t always easy to talk about sex, dating and relationships with teenagers – but it is better to talk about these issues before something happens.
• Remind children that once an image is sent, there is no getting it back. Stress to the children that once they have sent an image, or posted it online, they no longer have control of it, and it could end up anywhere. Ask them how they would feel if their teachers, parents, or their whole school saw what they had sent. 
• Address peer pressure. Peer pressure can be a formidable force so make sure that children know that you understand that they could be pushed into sending something. Talk to them about making positive decisions and be sure they understand that no matter how great the pressure becomes, the potential social humiliation could be a hundred times worse. Also let them know that they can talk to you about this pressure and how they can go about dealing with it. 
• Make sure they take responsibility. Make sure your child understands that they are responsible for their actions. That includes what they choose to do if they receive a sexually explicit photo. Have them understand that if they do receive one, they need to delete it immediately. Tell them that if they do send it on, they're distributing pornography -- and that they could get into trouble with the police.

Sexting can happen for lots of reasons 

• Feel like 'everyone else is doing it' and want to fit in with in with friends - especially if they are boasting about sending or having photos on their mobile phone
• Worry about being seen as 'not sexy', 'frigid' or 'shy' and go along with things you're uncomfortable with
• Feel under pressure to sext as a way of ‘proving’ your sexuality
• Feel harassed, threatened or blackmailed into sending pictures
• Feel it's easier just to ‘give in’ to somebody who keeps asking for things
• Think you ‘owe’ your boyfriend or girlfriend or made to feel guilty if you don’t do what they ask you for
• Be in love with the person and trust them completely and feel like it’s okay
• Have a long distance or online relationship with someone and want to have a sexual relationship with them
• Feel proud of your body and want to share it with other people.

Further information about sexting can be found on: https://www.childline.org.uk/explore/onlinesafety/pages/sexting.aspx

Did You Know?

• 38% of 13-18 year olds have received a sexually explicit message.
• 39% admit sharing intimate images.
• 40% do not see anything wrong with sending topless images.
• 56% are not aware of instances where images and videos were distributed further than the intended recipient.
• 70% knew the sender; the majority were peers or current girlfriends or boyfriends. A small minority were from known adults.*

*Survey conducted by ‘South West Grid for Learning’ (SWGfL) & University of Plymouth over 500 13 – 18 year olds.

Further information about sexting can be found on: http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/sexting.htm

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