Talk to Your Kids About Sending Explicit Images

Friday, 3 January 2020 11:28

Norfolk OPP are asking parents to talk to your kids about the dangers of sharing images on their cell phones after a 12 year old girl was found to be sharing sexually explicit images to a stranger in Norfolk County.

NORFOLK COUNTY - Norfolk OPP are asking parents to talk to your kids about the dangers of sharing explicit images on their cell phones.

Police are investigating after a 12 year old girl shared inappropriate and sexually explicit images with an unknown person. OPP were called by the upset parents who made the discovery on New Years Eve.

Police say there has been a marked increase in the number of reports involving youth being requested to send sexually explicit images or videos of themselves over the Internet. OPP are concerned about the safety of those involved and say that teens need to realize the long and short term dangers of sending out photographs of themselves. Those who distribute it also need to be aware of the criminal ramifications of doing so.

Constable Ed Sanchuk says parents need to start having these conversations with their children.

"Porn culture is becoming pop culture, and often parents do not know that their kids are involved, and it can be difficult to determine. Parents are encouraged to have honest and frank discussions with their kids about what self-peer exploitation is, and explain that the images can often end up somewhere they may not want them to be. Be prepared to offer them some information about who they can turn to if they need help."

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a national charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of children, with a goal to reduce child victimization. They are a great resource, and have many links to information that is helpful to parents, educators and teens themselves. The Centre also has a tip line to report online sexual exploitation called Cybertip.ca. Cybertip.ca is developing and disseminating effective intervention and prevention practices to reach a variety of stakeholders.

Sanchuk says sharing these images can be extremely dangerous.

"Everyone needs to realize the long and short term dangers when requests are made to send out sexually explicit photographs. Those who distribute it also need to be aware of the criminal ramifications of doing so. Once it's out there, you can't get it back and you should not be embarrassed to speak to police about your concerns."