What advice can I give my students about sexting?
Young people are increasingly using new technologies to explore and test issues such as sex and relationships. When it comes to mobiles, they could be exchanging intimate or naked photos and videos of themselves via text, email or Bluetooth, commonly known as “sexting”.
Did you know?
More than a third of under 18s in the UK have received a “sext” (Source: Beatbullying, 2009)
These images could be passed on to other people without the sender’s permission and some young people could be pressurised into sending such images in the first place.
Sexting brings a number of potential risks – the sender could be harassed or bullied as a result of the image and the photos or videos could even fall into the hands of sex offenders. Furthermore, anyone who takes, holds or shares indecent images could be breaking the law.
So, it’s useful to talk to your students about these potential risks and also make sure that their parents are aware of this growing trend.
Where can I find out more?
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Watch this video on the
BBC website
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