Sexting can be part of our young people's culture and sexual development and it is not going anywhere. What can we, as adults responsible for their care, do to help guide our young people? A role that is our responsibility.
We need to be aware of the implications for both our young boys and girls sending and receiving images.
In advance to Safer Internet day, that took place on 5th February, Red Harbour organised a training event for Policy Hub Scotland that took place on 31st January in Edinburgh. The event was fully booked giving evidence that the topic is an important one to discuss. What was clear is there is a need and we are willing to hear, what may take us out of our comfort zone.
Should our children be caught up in the crossfire, we would hope that they can feel comfortable to talk to us as parents, carers, teachers or responsible adult. The more we know about this culture, the more equipped we are to handle. We need to educate, not reprimand. Young people need to know of the risks involved and the prospect of a criminal record that would be detrimental to their future.
Amongst a range of expert speakers, Professor Ethel Quayle CBE delivered a keynote address exploring her recent and ongoing research into coercive and non-coercive self-produced sexual images by adolescents. Jess McBeath lead an interactive session on the risks and issues for children, young people and professionals, including exploring available educational resources such as those produced for Safer Internet Day 2019.
Should our children be caught up in the crossfire, we would hope that they can feel comfortable to talk to us as parents, carers, teachers or responsible adult. The more we know about this culture, the more equipped we are to handle. We need to educate, not reprimand. Young people need to know of the risks involved and the prospect of a criminal record that would be detrimental to their future.