Teenagers warned of risks of sexting in police campaign

Teenagers are being urged to think twice before 'sexting' and to pause before they send explicit or naked pictures of themselves to others.

The advice comes as part of an awareness-raising drive being rolled out by North Wales Police’ School Police Officers (SPO’s) following an increase in the number of reported incidents in schools.

Sexting is a term used for sending or receiving of sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos which can be taken by a young person of themselves (selfie), or by others.

Since September, School Police Officers have dealt with 28 incidents of sexting involving young people.

Officers are delivering lessons on the subject matter at secondary schools across the region in a bid to help raise awareness and the campaign and messages, aimed at young people and adults, are being issued on the force’s social media accounts. Printed material has also been produced which will be on display at schools and colleges.

Mannon Williams, North Wales Police’ Schools Service Manager said: “We know that sexting in under-18’s is an increasing issue which is reflected nationally, not just here in North Wales.

“However, the increased reporting has highlighted why it is important to educate young people about the potential consequences of sexting and encourage parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with their children about it.

“Since September, School Police Officers have delivered 159 Risky Pics lessons to secondary school pupils across the region – reaching 4,006 pupils and 221 adults. This has been the lesson with the highest demand for us so far this term.

“Technology has become ever more advanced and available this is why this campaign is so important. By educating young people about the law surrounding sexting and the potential consequences of sending these types of images, we can help them to avoid making a decision which they later regret.

“Anyone who takes, sends, shares, or has a naked image of someone under the age of 18 is breaking the law. We don’t want to criminalise young people where it is not appropriate, and we hope that by educating young people about sexting we can avoid this altogether.

“Safeguarding is at the forefront of all that we do with children and young people and we want to re-affirm to young people and parents/carers that we are here to help when they need us.”

Social media followers can follow the campaign via #ThinkBeforeYouSend hashtag.

Advice for young people:

• When you’re under 18, it’s against the law for anyone to take or have a sexual photo of you. Even if it’s a selfie
• Once you send an image you lose complete control over what happens to it
• You may feel that everyone is taking and sending nudes and you are the only one who is not. That is not true. Even if people are talking about it and saying they’ve done it that’s not always the case. Never feel pressurised to do anything you don’t want to, including sexting someone.
• If you are 16 and take an image of yourself in your underwear for someone, you are breaking the law. The person you send it to would be breaking the law as they have a photo of someone under the age of 18 in their underwear.
• It is illegal but the police will help you and safeguard you in the first instance if you are involved in sexting. If you send an image and it all goes wrong always speak to an adult who you trust straight away.

Advice for parents/carers concerned about their children sexting:

• Talk to young children about sexting, the law and the potential dangers, but remember – every child is different, so your approach should be based on their character and your relationship with them
• Remind them that it is illegal to take, send or receive ‘sexts’ of anyone under the age of 18, including selfies
• Not all teenagers are doing it, even if that’s what they tell their friends
• Explain to them about the importance of trust and consent in a healthy relationship. Tell them that it’s not ok for someone to make them feel uncomfortable, to pressure the, into doing things that they’re unhappy about. Let them know they can speak to you if this ever happens
• Ask them if they’d want something private shown to the world. Talk about the Granny rule – would you want your Granny to see the image you’re sharing?
• If children are sending images to people they trust, they may not think there’s much risk involved. Use examples of when friends or partners have had a falling-out and what might happen to the images if this happens
• Make sure they know that you’re always there for support if they feel pressured by anyone
• Explain they can come to you if someone asks them to send a nude picture or if they receive an explicit message

If it has happened:

• Stay calm and support your child
• Take the device, do not screenshot and do not forward on
• Speak to your child’s school, they have the power to help. They will pass onto the designated safeguarding lead and from there they will decide if they want to report as a crime and will be able to offer support and advice.
• Remember: it’s illegal, but the police will always help young people and safeguard them in the first instance

Where and how to seek help:

• Parents and carers can get information, with links to help and support from:

Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

• Young people can get more information, with links to help and support by visiting Sexting resources - UK Safer Internet Centre