The conversation is currently out in our school communities and concerns about sexting have been highlighted in our wider community by local media.
From a policing viewpoint, we remind community members who include parents, teens and young children, that there are dangers about publishing ‘selfies’ on social media sites.
Sexting is a concerning trend that involves young children and young people taking sexually explicit images or videos of themselves and sending them to their friends or to other people.
We have a number of schools and students of various ages utilising smart devices and everyone needs to be reminded that once an image or video is transmitted, the child or young person completely loses control of that publication. There is the potential for the image or video to be easily shared with other people within a child’s personal life and social community. This could result in a major embarrassment at the time, for a few days, weeks and into the future.
Young people may also be committing serious criminal offences by taking, possessing or sending indecent images and may be liable to criminal prosecution.
Police within Bundaberg Patrol Group investigate various offences and in 2016, a 17-year-old student was charged with one count of distribute prohibited visual recordings. Consequence = Court appearance, $600 fine and blue card cancelled.
Charging a young person for this type of offence is certainly something we don’t take lightly. We will investigate matters that are brought to us and will always work to find a solution, however in some circumstances, there is evidence of deliberate criminal action and we will take the appropriate action where necessary
People need to consider the harm that can be caused to their reputation or to others as a result of sending, receiving or re-posting self-produced indecent images.
Two educational video clips from ThinkUKnow are available to help provide a further understanding of what we are conversing about.
Consequences is targeted towards 11 to 16 year-olds and runs for just under nine minutes.
Jigsaw is targeted towards 8 to 10 year-olds and plays for just over eight minutes.
Respect is important for everyone when using social media.
For more information on Who’s Chatting to your Kids, please visit here.
Parents can learn more about YouTube, Snapchat, Minecraft, Kik messenger, Instagram and other social media sites thanks to Factsheets by ThinkUKnow.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.