Lesson 9 Sexting

A study by the Internet Watch Foundation showed that up to 88% of self-generated images have been collected and put onto other sites!

Sexting: starter question 0 I’ve shown my friends a naked pic of my boyfriend. Was it illegal for me to do that?

I’ve shown my friends a naked pic of my boyfriend. Was it illegal for me to do that? 0 It’s against the law to have naked pictures or videos of someone under 18, that includes taking the photo, sending it on, or keeping any naked images you’ve been sent. 0 The law is like this to protect young people from adults who sexually abuse them and take photos or videos of the abuse. But even if it’s a picture which your boyfriend or girlfriend has taken, it is against the law, and you definitely shouldn’t share naked or indecent pictures of anyone without their consent. 0 Although you probably wouldn’t get in trouble with the police, you could cause your boyfriend or girlfriend serious distress and get yourself in serious trouble at school. Remember, if you threaten or pressure anyone to share naked pictures with you then you could get in trouble with the police. 0 You should delete any pictures you have on your mobile or computer and ask anyone you’ve shared these pictures with to do the same.

Selfies: the naked truth 0 Taking selfies is so popular even politicians and priests are doing it!politicianspriests 0 There’s nothing wrong with a few snaps of your smile but what about a bit more? 0 Imagine it's late. You're chatting online, and things are getting hot. A topless pic appears on your screen. You could send back a selfie. What’ll it be? Head and shoulders or something more revealing? 0 WAIT. You can send something in an instant, but think - why am I doing this? 0 Do you feel under pressure because they’ve sent you one? Would you take your clothes off if you were face to face? Are you doing it for you, or for them?

It’s only a picture – what’s the problem? 0 Nudes, sexts, fanpics - whatever you call them - taking pics of your bits and sending them to someone else is never a good idea. Whether it’s to your boyfriend or girlfriend or someone you’ve met online, a quick snap can have long term consequences.

Think before you strip! Before you send that picture ask yourself these questions. Why am I doing it? Are there other, less permanent ways, of showing your boyfriend or girlfriend that you care? Do you feel under pressure to send one? Ask – am I doing this for me, or for them? Your body is yours, and you choose what you do with it. Someone who really cares about you won’t put you under pressure. What if I don’t do it? Think about the consequences of not sending the picture? Are they worse than what could happen if you do send it? Do you think the other person will think less of you? If they care about you they shouldn’t put you under any pressure. Would I do it face to face? If you’re in a relationship you might not feel ready to start having sex. If you don’t, are you really ready to share sexy pictures?

Think before you strip! Before you send that picture ask yourself these questions. Am I under the influence? Being turned on can make it more difficult to think straight. If things are getting hot, remember that you might not be thinking as clearly as usual. Take a little more time before deciding to send a picture. Does it pass the Billboard Test? Would you put it on a billboard? Would you share it with your dad, mum, nan or teacher? If not, don't share it online.

Exposed 15-year-old Dee sends naked pics to her boyfriend Si. The next morning, she finds out everyone at school has seen them. What will she do? Where can she get help?

Only a picture? Five reasons not send it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Share a picture or video online or on your phone and someone else might send it further. You could lose control of it and who knows where it might end up? What if your mum, dad or teacher saw it? Bullies go for it. You've probably heard stories of teenagers who have been badly bullied because of naked pictures online, like the tragic case of Amanda Todd. If you're being bullied because of an image there is help out thereAmanda Toddthere It’s against the law! If you're under 18, it's illegal to take or share an ‘indecent’ picture of yourself, or to look at or share someone else's.. If it’s naked, a topless girl, contains genitals or sex acts including masturbation it will be 'indecent'! Learn moreLearn more

Only a picture? Five reasons not send it. You could be blackmailed. Swapping naked pics with someone you’ve met online? If you send a picture you wouldn’t want other people to see then you could be in danger of being blackmailed. Find out more.Find out more. Will they keep your pic private? Even if you really trust them, it would only take a moment for them to share it tonight, tomorrow or next year… in that moment they could be in a silly mood, drunk or angry. They could just hit ‘send’ by accident.

Amanda Todd, a teenager who lived in the Vancouver area, died by her own hand. Shortly before she killed herself, she made a YouTube video describing the bullying she had suffered both in school and after school that had driven her to abuse drugs and alcohol, and self-harm –and which would, ultimately, result in her suicide. She described boys tormenting her, and girls beating her so severely that, when they were done, she simply lay in a ditch until her father found her.

In seventh grade, Amanda had logged onto a webcam site where she met a 30-year-old man who cajoled her into showing him her breasts. When she sought to withdraw from the man's persistent attentions, he contacted her via Facebook. He threatened to send the topless photos of her to "everyone" if she did not "put on a show".

Click the image to watch the video Unfortunately for Amanda, it was no empty threat: the man had obtained her personal data, including where she lived and went to school, and made good on his word. When she changed schools to avoid the people who had seen the uncensored photo, he made it his profile picture on Facebook.

‘What happened to Amanda Todd would never happen here’

‘How do we make sure what happened to Amanda Todd would never happen here?’

Make a list of the additional things that we should do to get rid of cyber- bullying

Plenary Someone keeps asking me to send them naked pictures. I want to be friends still, but I want them to stop asking. What can I say?

Someone keeps asking me to send them naked pictures. I want to be friends still, but I want them to stop asking – what can I say? If it’s a friend you know very well they should understand that you’re not happy about doing this. If they keep asking anyway then maybe they aren’t as good a friend as you thought after all. If it’s someone you’ve never met face-to-face then it’s safer to ignore them or block them. If you’re worried about why they’re asking for images or they’re making you feel uncomfortable then you can report them to CEOP.CEOP