Police warn teenagers about dangers of 'sexting'

POLICE WARN TEENAGERS ABOUT DANGERS OF SEXTING

For the next two weeks Cumbria Police will be warning teenagers in Cumbria of the dangers of ‘sexting’.

The information will be sent out via Cumbria Police’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

This is part of Cumbria Constabulary’s internet safety campaign, which aims to raise awareness of how young people can stay safe online. It was launched on Monday 22^nd July and runs until the end of the school summer holidays (5^th September).

The previous fortnight focused on social media – advising parents how to protect children online. Advice was issued by police through Facebook and Twitter which generated a good response from parents in Cumbria.

‘Sexting’ is when someone takes an indecent photo of themselves and sends it to a partner or friend – via mobile phone or some other form of technology.

Detective Inspector Stephanie Brown, Public Protection Unit at Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“Many young people see sexting as a bit of fun, that’s just between themselves and their partner. But the truth is once you have sent an image to others you have lost control of it and it can end up anywhere.

“These images could be then used to bully, harass or even locate the person who sent the image. My advice is if you wouldn’t like your parents or teachers to see an image – don’t send it.

“If anyone receives an indecent image or text do not send it on and report it to a responsible adult. Technically possessing an indecent image of another minor is a criminal offence and you could be breaking the law.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said:

“I welcome the Constabulary’s campaign especially aimed at keeping young people safe online.  Sexting is not fun and can have significant consequences.  It is really important that people use modern technology responsibly.”

Jonathan Baggaley, Head of Education at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, said:

“In 2012, CEOP received 8,000 reports of indecent image of children transactions, which consisted of 70,000 still and moving images - a fifth of which were self-generated.

“To help educate people about the risks to engaging in this behaviour, CEOP have created a variety of resources including a film, Exposed, to warn young people of the dangers they may face when sending indecent/explicit images of themselves to each other. Within our education programme, Thinkuknow, there is also specific advice and guidance for parents on how to talk to their child about protecting themselves when using technology and the internet to interact with others. More information can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/11_16.

“We will continue to work with the police and other organisations around the UK to ensure that young people understand the consequences of their actions. As well as reporting any concerns to the local police, reports can also be made directly to CEOP using the ClickCEOP button which can be found at www.ceop.police.uk”.

Helen Smith, from Children’s Services at Cumbria County Council, said:

“I would encourage all teenagers in Cumbria to follow Cumbria Police on Facebook and Twitter for the next two weeks for advice on the dangers of sexting.

“The risk of exposing intimate images of yourself for the world to see is too great a price to pay for a moment’s lapse in judgement. If you are concerned about an image you may have sent always tell an adult you trust – which could be your mum, dad, teacher, or a family friend.”

For more information or advice please visit: http://www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/online-safety
If you are upset or worried by an image you have sent or received, you can call ChildLine and talk to someone in confidence on 0800 1111.

If you know of an image of you or a friend is on a social networking site you will need to contact the service provider (e.g. Facebook) to get it removed.

More advice can be found at www.thinkyouknow.co.uk.