Parents are now worrying more about their children sexting over alcohol and drugs it seems, and it’s been suggested that those as young as five should be taught the dangers of sending indecent images.
Sexting is the act of sending and/or receiving explicit content, such as text, images or videos, often through social media like Snapchat.
Through digital devices such as smartphones and tablets, explicit content can be shared between friends, partners and even strangers.
Although most commonly shared between two people in a relationship, it can be considered flirting between two that aren’t in a relationship yet.
Unfortunately, there have been reports where young people have been forced into sexting through grooming, harassment and peer pressure, and some minors have willingly sent explicit content of themselves.
However, it’s imperative that your child is fully aware of the consequences of sexting.
Nine out of ten parents agreed that schools should do more to educate their pupils on sexting, according to the YouGov survey.
Sexting is in fact a criminal offence for those under 18, but parents with minors feel involving the police would not be as effective as resolving the issue within school lessons.
YouGov, for the PSHE (Personal, Social, Health And Economic Education) Association polled more than 1,100 parents with children in school.
It revealed that 78% were either ‘fairly concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ with sexting, compared to 69% concerned about alcohol misuse and 67% concerned with smoking.
Calling for Theresa May and Justine Greening to make PSHE education compulsory, Chief Executive of the PSHE Association Joe Hayman said: "The message from parents is loud and clear, they want their children educated on risks like sexting in order to prevent them from doing something they could later regret.
“Evidence shows that these lessons help to prevent young people from breaking the law and putting themselves in risky situations."
Mum-of-two and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has got involved in the campaign and believes that although it’s the parent’s responsibilities to “stay up to date with technology”, certain topics like sexting should be addressed in the school environment.
She said: "Of course it remains our responsibility as adults and parents to stay up to date with technology so we can protect our children and reduce these pressures, but there are vital elements to do with sexual behavior and peer pressure which need to be discussed in school, by qualified PSHE teachers and this governments objection to compulsory PSHE is disgraceful and leaves kids at risk."
Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) has also released a video and an information fact sheet to explain sexting to parents.
You can watch the video here:
Do you think children under 18 need to be taught about sexting?
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