Police warn of sexting dangers

Sexting, or the sharing of sexual images, naked ‘selfies’ or messages, is happening within all peer groups, according to Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Morris.

“It’s in every single school throughout Australia, without doubt - it's rampant,'' he said.

“The main problem is occurring with photography.’’

But according to the Crimes Act, any person inviting, producing, distributing or transmitting sexual images of a person under 18, or messages to a person under 18, could face child pornography charges.

“The idea is to stop the images circulating – to stop the traffic of material,’’ Detective Senior Sergeant Morris said.

“The concern for us is that the kids aren’t getting it.

“They are a bit apathetic and it’s not that they don’t care, they get caught up in what they’re doing and how they live. They don’t think – the last thing they’re thinking of are the legal ramifications.’’

Courtney Lucanto from the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre said the laws were to stop the exploitation and abuse of children by adults, but did not necessarily reflect current technological behaviour between young people.

But at the same time, Ms Lucanto said it was important not to minimalise the impact on young people whose images were shared without consent.

"Sometimes debate over the appropriateness of legal consequences for young people who engage in sexting can minimalise the negative impact when there has been behaviour which is malicious in its intent, including where people have broken up and then release or threaten to release sexual pictures,’’ she said.

"People can say this behaviour can occur and is a mistake; however calling it a once off mistake doesn’t erase the potential of an ongoing negative impact for someone. It can be devastating.''

News Review: Read how sexting laws can mean trouble for our teens here.