More Research on 'Sexting' From the NSPCC

The NSPCC has published a follow up study on 'sexting' following on from their May 2012 study:  A qualitative study of children, young people and 'sexting'

The researchers conducted 12 focus groups with 120 young people, aged 13 to 14 years, across three counties in England. An additional 30 children aged 10-11, from two different counties in England, were also questioned.

The research findings were:

* there was widespread knowledge of sexting amongst 13-14 year olds. Although not everyone was engaged in sexting, many had peers that were


* 13-14 year old girls tended to self-generate as a result of a request from a boy, whilst boys tended to self-generate unprompted

* many 13-14 year olds reported that the fear of being judged would prevent them from talking to an adult if something went wrong

* most 10-11 year olds had to deal with some form of online abuse, but there was little evidence that they were exposed to sexualised content, or asked to self-generate.   The full report is available to download for free here:

Sexting: an exploration of practices, attitudes and influences (PDF, 172KB)

Qualitative Study Of Children, Young People & Sexting

Jessica Ringrose, Institute of Education, and others for the NSPCC have conducted a small scale qualitative study to improve the understanding of sexting (the “exchange of sexual messages or images” and “creating, sharing and forwarding sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images”) and the use of mobile technology by young people.

The researchers conducted focus groups with 35 young people aged 12 to 14 years from inner city London schools. Participants were asked to become friends with the research team on Facebook so their activities online could be mapped. The findings reveal that sexting does not refer to a single activity but covers a range of activities experienced by young people. The key messages from the research are: 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; ever younger children are affected; sexting practices are culturally specific; and more support and resources are vital to redress the gendered sexual pressures on young people.

The report sets out recommendations for schools, parents, internet service and site providers, child welfare professionals and future research and is available to read here: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/resourcesforprofessionals/sexualabuse/sexting-research-report_wdf89269.pdf

Sexting & Sexual Grooming

Stockport MP, Ann Coffey introduced a Westminster Hall debate on the growing phenomenon of "sexting" - the sharing of sexually suggestive messages or images electronically, primarily between mobile phones. She said that sexting was often used as a form of cyber-bullying and that the link between sexual grooming and sexting is becoming increasingly apparent (according to the children's charity Beat Bullying). Increasingly younger children are being affected. Ms Coffey said that the mobile phone industry should do more to highlight some of the dangers of its products and suggested that the Children’s Minister should raise some of her specific ideas when he next met with the mobile phone companies.

You can read a summary of the debate here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120425/halltext/120425h0001.htm#12042537000002