MP backs ‘sexting’ campaign
STOCKPORT MP Ann Coffey has backed a bid to educate teenagers about the dangers of ‘sexting’ – but says it shouldn’t be just left to parents to tackle the issue.
Ms Coffey said: “It’s not enough to give advice to parents. Young people only listen to other young people. They need to understand how they can leave themselves so vulnerable to exploitation.
“By giving more information and increasing awareness among children and young people, we may prevent them from coming to harm.”
She was speaking after the National Crime Agency reported that child-protection officers were investigating an average of one case involving sexting every day.
It said sending nude or explicit images of themselves on social media had become ‘normal’ among teenagers.
Sexting is leaving youngsters vulnerable to exploitation or blackmail, according to child protection experts.
The agency’s centre for tackling abuse, Ceop Command, said some youngsters were targeted by strangers who attempted to blackmail them over images they have been tricked into taking.