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‘SEXTING’ OR ‘sex texting’ refers to sending sexually explicit images or videos via digital means. Some definitions of sexting also include text messages, but for the purpose of this article we will focus on images/videos. Primarily such ‘sexts’ are sent using mobile phones and/or social messaging applications such as Snapchat, Viber and WhatsApp.
Celebrity cases of sexting have dominated the media in recent years (eg, Disney star Vanessa Hudgens & X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos) setting a culture, particularly for young girls, where sexting is seen as the norm, even somewhat cool.
From my experience in visiting over 300 schools across Ireland, Irish children are very aware of the phenomenon of sexting. Consistent with international research from Australia, USA and the UK, I have been made aware of cases in Ireland where children as young as 10 years of age have engaged in sexting.
As part of independent research conducted for a number of secondary schools in Ireland, 1 in 4 students admitted to sending or receiving sexts. Although the practice was most common amongst 3rd year students, it was observed from students in 1st year to Leaving Certificate. These findings are consistent with research by the NSPCC which reported that up to 40 per cent of young people have engaged in sexting.
There are numerous reasons young people sext. From speaking with students across Ireland some of the main reasons offered include:
Individuals that send sexts, be they adult or under 18, are distanced from the reality of what they are doing. I believe that individuals who send sexts would never take the picture with an ordinary camera, have the picture developed and then hand the picture to the individual they wish to share the material with.
Unfortunately, once material is sent via mobile or online, the individual loses control of that information. Pictures may be distributed beyond the intended recipients either online or through mobile phone. A recent study by the Internet Watch Foundation showed that up to 88 per cent of self-generated images have been collected and put onto other sites.
Sending sexts also increases the young person’s risk of victimisation (ie cyberbullying) where the young person can be harassed, intimidated even blackmailed for sending such material. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and in extreme cases suicide (eg Jessie Logan) can result.
Depending on the age of the individual/s depicted in the sext, under Irish Law, ‘Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998’, the sext can constitute child pornography.
So, how should parents/guardians/teachers respond if a young person has engaged in sexting?
It is important to speak with young people about sexting before an issue arises.
What to do if a young person has sent a sext:
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What to do if a young person has received a sext:
For additional information and resources on the issue of sexting, please see:
The UK Safer Internet Centre, which provides advice and guidance to help young people consider the consequences of posting sexting images online and what they can do if they find themselves in a position where they have lost control of their images.
Common Sense Media which offers advice on how to talk to your child about sexting, in addition to resources that can be used by teachers and parents to tackle this issue.
Dr Maureen Griffin holds an honours degree in Applied Psychology, a Masters in Forensic Psychology and a PhD in Applied (Forensic) Psychology (specifically in the area of Sex Offender Assessment). She lectures in the areas of abnormal psychology, mental health and crime, sexual offenders, online internet solicitation and risk assessment on Forensic Psychology, Criminal Behaviour & Criminalistics courses in universities across Ireland, and is the founder and director of Internet Safety for Schools Ireland. Maureen has visited over 300 schools across Ireland speaking with students, staff, BoM members and parents regarding issues around social media, cyber-bullying and internet and mobile phone safety.
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