There have been some reports in the papers and online this week about the phenomenon of sexting. If you don't know the term I am sure most are aware of the behaviour attached to it; The texting of explicit photos to someone.
The concept of sharing intimate photos has been around since it was possible to record a photo on a piece of paper and I suppose sexting is a natural progression from the posting or sharing of photos to remind people of what they are missing. It is not however this act of sexual deviance that is leading some people to be concerned it is the dangerous new tools that are being used to share such photos.
Images of such nature should be going to someone you trust such as a partner or spouse however if it gets into the wrong hands then it can be highly damaging to the owner of the image. If you lose your phone with nude images of our girlfriend, the finder of that phone is likely to see them and can send them to anyone, post it on the internet - anywhere - where as with a lost photograph it is likely to just be passed around the pub. Either way this is likely to cause embarressment and could have severe consequences at work or in the family.
The concern does not come with the saving face of adults, but the lives of children and teenagers. Most young people around 14 years and up have their own phone with a camera on it, and the privacy to use it for more than holiday snaps.
Teenagers are always going to be experimental and interested in sex, this is nothing new, but the technology that is so accessible to these young people allows them to experience it in a completely new way. It makes the experience easier and can be stored and kept for later. There are huge implications to the way these teenagers are using this technology, as the same with adults, can cause massive problems in the playground. You can read the full report here at Guardian.com and I would just like to comment on if it is a big problem or adults just complaining again.
As the report suggests, and for anyone with some dignity, intimate images you wish to send should be to someone you trust dearly. However, when that trust lays in the hands of a horny 15 year old boy with an ego to feed and mates wanting to see the boobs of Sarah from science class, that image is unlikely to stay in the pocket of the receiver.
"oh this is just playground fun" - No it can be more damaging. Rumours or anecdotes of what Sarah did can be debated and over come, photo images cannot, and have been used to bully kids at school in a way that teachers and the government has ever seen before. It is more than embarressing to find your pictures on the college network - people have killed themselves over such occurrences. With respects to the receiver being a 15 year old boy, I only have an ounce of sympathy. If you don't trust this person 110% or are just worried about it getting passed on, then stand up and say no. I know the pressure can be on, but that outcome is likely to be better than if you do send it.
Aside from the personal damage it can cause, there are also now a lot of legal implications for the forwarder and viewers: Voyeurism, watching sexual act of a child, conducting sexual act with a child etc. If leaked online there are copious problems as a result - Just dangerous.
I know this has been written as the boys wrongfully sharing but isn't one way, boys shouldn't feel pressured to get out their Johnson on the basis of false promises leading to a gaggle of giggling girls.
So what can be done?
As suggested above the consequences are immense as has proven in the past - public humiliation, bullying, police involvement, having to move schools an even suicide - but Sexting cannot be banned or prevented by intervention. Looking into text messages for naughty pictures is against some privacy act I am sure, and the only way to prevent many people getting into the same situation as many have before is through education. The technology will stay, and even be enhanced. Teenagers are going to be exploratory, horny and egotistical. It is unlikely that people are going to suddenly become more trustworthy and respectful for the naked form and privacy of the sender, so educating individuals highlighting the possible outcomes of their actions is essential. Making them think twice about it. Those whom already have committed their bits to the airwaves will probably learnt by experience and unlikely to do it again (that is, if they don't enjoy the attention).
So what do you think?
Do these kids need protection or do they deserve it?
Do you have any exaples from your school or friends caught out?
Cheers, Scott
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