RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
20
SEXTING
WHAT IS IT?
‘Sexting’ is the sharing of sexually explicit images or messages. Sometimes, children and
young people may create and share content which is inappropriate or even illegal online
or over mobile devices. This content may damage the relationships and reputation of
your child or others, lead to offline confrontation or even result in criminal charges.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
Young people may engage in this activity to show intimacy with their partner, in the
hope to obtain a partner or to express themselves to others. Most studies show that
only a minority of young people are involved in sexting and it is often linked to physical
sexual activity.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Sending sexually explicit images or text messages can have significant ramifications
both legally and ethically. It is important that you encourage your child to think about the
permanency of the images and messages they send, post or receive.
DID YOU KNOW?
Legally, if the person represented in the image or text is
under the age of 18, it can be considered ‘child pornography’ under Commonwealth
and State or Territory legislation. These offences can carry significant penalties and
can even result in a young person being listed on a sex offender’s registry.
Ethically, it is important for young people to be aware that as soon as they send or post
something online, they no longer have control over where that image or message will end
up, or who will see it.
TIPS TO AVOID SEXTING
1. Encourage your child to think before they post.
2. Discuss ethical sexual relationships with your child.
3. Take a social norms approach—highlight that only a minority of young people
engage in sexting and that your child should not feel pressured to do the same as
an attempt to ‘fit in’.
4. Help young people develop effective strategies for saying
‘no’ to avoid creating inappropriate content.
5. Discourage the use of pornography as an
educational resource.
6. Help your child understand that if they receive an image of
someone, it’s not their photo or their body, and therefore
not their choice to share it.