Creative Guide for Teachers & Parents

SUBJECT & DISCUSSION IDEA #11 - Sexting

The Pew Research Center has published a research paper surrounding this topic which has shown that 4% of youths aged 12-17 have sent a sext message, and 15% have received a sext.

It is important to keep in mind that:

• Everything you put on the Internet is public and permanent. Once a picture is sent there is the risk that it can be made public.
• Once something is posted on the Internet it can leave a mark on your record which can be seen by peers, family and future employers.
• Nude pictures of anyone under the age of 18 are considered to be child pornography. Those who take these pictures, even if you took them of yourself, are subject to the law. Also, the people who receive the pictures can be charged with possession of child pornography.

It is also important to think about the consequences that your actions will have. A private photograph sent via cell phones can so easily cause terrible humiliation.

Questions to ask yourself before posting photos on the Internet:

• Who could find your online pictures/video of you? Your parents? Friends? Family? Teachers?
• If they found these pictures/videos, would you be embarrassed?
• If you're not embarrassed now do you think you might be 5 or 10 years from now?
• What could someone do with your pictures, video, or personal information?
• What would you do if people at school got a hold of the pictures/video?
• How much do you want people to know about you?

Discussion idea:

The Norwegian website for youth privacy produced a video on sexting. It involves two teenagers discussing a picture's ability to humiliate an individual on the Internet. It then shows a revealing picture being uploaded for all to see online.