NSPCC Study On Sexting
A new study report on sexting and young people has been released by the NSPCC.
The aim of the study was to gain insight into young people’s views and experiences and to understand 'how sexually explicit texts and images are produced, circulated and used through mobile phones and the internet, and how these practices shape the offline lives of young people.'
The 35 participants in the focus groups of the study were aged 12 to 14 years from inner city London schools. To map their online activities, the participants were asked to become friends with the research team on Facebook.
Follow-up interviews were conducted with 22 of the focus group participants as well as with four teachers and four school support staff.
The outcomes of the report were:
- The primary technology-related threat comes from peers, not 'stranger danger'
- Sexting is often coercive
- Girls are the most adversely affected
- Technology amplifies the problem by facilitating the objectification of girls
- Sexting reveals wider sexual pressures
- Even younger children are affected
- Sexting practices are culturally specific
- More support and resources are vital to redress the gendered sexual pressures on young people
More information can be found here.
A summary of the report can be found here.
IMAGE: pieterouwerkerk
Related Article: The Dangers Of 'Sexting'
3 Comments – Post a comment
Pasternak
Commented 10 months ago - 2nd July 2012 - 17:20pm
Were all the outcomes of the report negative?
(Not Responding)
Commented 10 months ago - 3rd July 2012 - 15:38pm
Could there be anything positive about 'sexting' between 12 to 14-year-olds, Pasternak?
Pasternak
Commented 10 months ago - 3rd July 2012 - 22:18pm
Well personally I don't think people should do anything sexual at such a young age, but there are plenty who do. I understand the dangers (being exploited, the messages falling into the wrong hands, etc) but I think you could argue that sexting is preferable to actually having sex. A positive thing could be that at least there's no risk of pregnancy or STDs.