Generation Sext: Shocking rise in number of Highland teens swapping lewd photos
THE north’s top police officer has issued a warning to youngsters and carers over the sexting craze which is sweeping the area.
Sexting, where teenage boys and girls send naked images to one another via mobile phone or the internet, is fast emerging as a serious issue according to Chief Superintendent Julian Innes.
But the craze could lead to youngsters finding themselves on the Sex Offenders’ Register because it is a crime to send indecent material under the Communications Act.
Police have warned young people they could face prosecution as was highlighted when a 14-year-old boy in England was told his details would be held on a database for 10 years for making an indecent image of a child – by sending a naked picture of himself to a classmate.
But worryingly, the government’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) report that the sending of explicit texts is increasingly becoming the norm among teenagers, especially during courtship.
Ch Supt Innes said that sexting incidents were now being raised regularly at their daily management team meetings where serious incidents were discussed.
He said: “During the past six months, almost every day the management team is talking about vulnerable young people somewhere in the Highlands and Islands who have become involved in this behaviour.
“Some have been willing participants but with others, there has been an element of coercion.
“I think it is one of the emerging issues we will see in 2016.”
Police are now looking at the phenomenon in more depth and gathering more information and statistics because of their concern.
John Rutter, head teacher of Inverness High School, said: “Much of the sexting that is going on takes place outside of school but we are increasingly aware of it and the knock-on effects that it – and other abuses of social media - can have on behaviour in the school.
“When it occurs and comes to our attention it is addressed on an individual basis with input from our community police officers.
“It is also important that we work with parents on this and encourage them to be aware of what their children are up to online and on their phones.
“Many social media sites have minimum age limits but we have found that parents are not always aware what these are.
“They are often surprised when this comes up as part of our discussions.”
Sending indecent material by mobile or any other devices is an offence but sexting can also leave vulnerable young people open to grooming for sexual abuse, blackmail, bullying or sexual contact with adults or people they do not know.
And when a young relationship goes sour, the images have been used in what has become an offence in its own right – revenge porn.
Ch Supt Innes added: “We class this as a serious incident because it leaves a young vulnerable person open to abuse. Some are going into internet chat rooms, meeting total strangers and exchanging explicit photographs.
“If a stranger rang your doorbell you would not let them come in, but for some reason in the modern age young people will communicate with strangers on social media and that can lead to young people being exposed to material of an indecent nature.”
He added: “I think one of the best ways to combat this behaviour is for parents and carers to take time to have a conversation with their young people about the dangers and unintended consequences of becoming involved in this sort of thing.”
CEOP chief executive Peter Davies said: “We know that young people are increasingly using technology not only to stay in touch, but to explore their sexuality and to push the boundaries in what they send and to whom they send it.
“It is now so easy to send pictures instantly via emails and texts that we are seeing instances of boys or girls sending sexual images of themselves to others without considering the consequences.
“They often find out later that the image has been passed on to many others and as a result, they can be the victims of bullying or harassment.”
Highland Council is aware of the dangers.
A spokeswoman said: “Our Care and Learning Service do deliver e-safety training to schools and teachers which includes education on sending images.
“This is then delivered as part of their health and wellbeing programmes in both primary and secondary schools appropriate to age and Education Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
“Information is also provided to parents and carers through e-safety evenings and also through our website www.highlandesafety.wordpress.com
“Many schools do this in partnership with Police Scotland.”
She added: “We particularly draw attention to this issue by sending out to schools a letter on mobile phone safety, which includes advice to parents and carers about issues surrounding sending images.
“We have highlighted to schools and parents some good resources on our website – www.thinkuknow.co.uk and https://www.ceop.police.uk/ – and also this week we will be joining in the Scottish Government Campaign on social media raising awareness of child sexual exploitation.
“We also provide e-safety information and awareness as part of the Safe Highlander days to school pupils.”
