Young people warned about the dangers of sexting
Date: 20/07/2016
Ref: PR 8294
Wakefield Council is warning
young people of the dangers of sexting.
Sexting is where people send
or share sexually explicit images either of themselves or others. Being
involved in sending explicit pictures, where the person in the picture is under
the age of 18, can be a criminal offence.
The Council is backing the
‘Think Before You Send’ campaign which educates young people about the risks of
sexting.
It reminds young people when
they are thinking of sharing a photo, text or video of themselves via a phone,
tablet or computer to always ask “would I be ok with anyone and everyone seeing this?”
An image sent to another
person, can be shared with many other people.
Edwina Harrison,
independent Chair of the Wakefield and District Safeguarding Children Board,
said: “It is all too easy to post pictures on social media and many children
and young people will not realise what they are doing and how much danger they
might be facing.
“I hope the young people will seek help if they feel they are being pressured
into posting explicit pictures or have done so without thinking through the
possible consequences. Our message is very clear – think before you send – and
if you are worried or frightened, seek help.”
Cllr Olivia Rowley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Wakefield
Council said: “I whole-heartedly support this campaign for raising awareness of
such a serious issue, and for advising young people on what to do if they need
help. It is important that young people and children are aware of the risks of
sexting.”
Councils and
children safeguarding boards in Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees and
Calderdale are supporting the campaign together with the Police and Crime
Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson and the Crimestoppers charity.
Young people are being urged to call police on 101 if someone is trying to, or
has forced them to send a sexual image and tell someone they can trust. This
could be a parent or carer, teacher or family member. To find out more visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/sexting
Young people can call also call Childline free on 0800 111. This number won’t
appear on a telephone bill and is available 24 hours a day.
Ends