This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8182033.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Teenagers 'bullied by sex texts' | Teenagers 'bullied by sex texts' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than a third of under-18s have been sent a distressing sexually explicit digital message, a survey by the charity Beatbullying suggests. | More than a third of under-18s have been sent a distressing sexually explicit digital message, a survey by the charity Beatbullying suggests. |
A large majority of the 2,094 respondents said a fellow teenager had sent it, compared with 2% who said an adult had sent the message. | A large majority of the 2,094 respondents said a fellow teenager had sent it, compared with 2% who said an adult had sent the message. |
The charity said "sexting" constituted bullying and was a growing problem. | The charity said "sexting" constituted bullying and was a growing problem. |
Beatbullying asked 2,094 teenagers aged 11-18, and 38% had received distressing sexual content via new technologies. | Beatbullying asked 2,094 teenagers aged 11-18, and 38% had received distressing sexual content via new technologies. |
It is important that parents and schools are aware that 'sexting' is a significant issue among our children and young people Emma-Jane Cross, Beatbullying Sexting 'mortified me' | It is important that parents and schools are aware that 'sexting' is a significant issue among our children and young people Emma-Jane Cross, Beatbullying Sexting 'mortified me' |
Just more than half (55%) of those said it had been sent by mobile phone. | Just more than half (55%) of those said it had been sent by mobile phone. |
The most common ways of communicating sexually explicit material are via Bluetooth, by uploading it on to a personal website or social networking site, or by e-mailing and texting it to individuals, Beatbullying said. | The most common ways of communicating sexually explicit material are via Bluetooth, by uploading it on to a personal website or social networking site, or by e-mailing and texting it to individuals, Beatbullying said. |
Some 45% of teenagers who had received explicit content said it had come from another teenager, and 23% said it was from their boyfriend or girlfriend. | Some 45% of teenagers who had received explicit content said it had come from another teenager, and 23% said it was from their boyfriend or girlfriend. |
Nearly one in three said they were using an online messaging service when content of a distressing sexual nature was introduced. | Nearly one in three said they were using an online messaging service when content of a distressing sexual nature was introduced. |
A higher proportion of women than men said this was the case - 31% as opposed to 24%. | A higher proportion of women than men said this was the case - 31% as opposed to 24%. |
'Significant issue' | 'Significant issue' |
Last year, psychologist Dr Tanya Byron carried out a review of children's use of technology and recommended a taskforce be set up to spearhead protection measures in schools and the community. | Last year, psychologist Dr Tanya Byron carried out a review of children's use of technology and recommended a taskforce be set up to spearhead protection measures in schools and the community. |
But she said the role of parents was absolutely vital in managing teenagers' access to potentially harmful material. | But she said the role of parents was absolutely vital in managing teenagers' access to potentially harmful material. |
In response, the government set up the UK Council on Child Internet Safety, an umbrella group of organisations working in the field. | In response, the government set up the UK Council on Child Internet Safety, an umbrella group of organisations working in the field. |
Beatbullying's chief executive, Emma-Jane Cross, said new technology was facilitating sexual contact between teenagers and that this needed to be addressed. | Beatbullying's chief executive, Emma-Jane Cross, said new technology was facilitating sexual contact between teenagers and that this needed to be addressed. |
"We don't want to inhibit young people in their exploration of sexuality, but it is important that parents and schools are aware that 'sexting' is a significant issue among our children and young people, so together we can act to stop this kind of behaviour before it escalates into something far more problematic." | "We don't want to inhibit young people in their exploration of sexuality, but it is important that parents and schools are aware that 'sexting' is a significant issue among our children and young people, so together we can act to stop this kind of behaviour before it escalates into something far more problematic." |
She said prominent cases of teenagers who had harmed themselves after experiencing such bullying had led to a debate in the US and Australia. | She said prominent cases of teenagers who had harmed themselves after experiencing such bullying had led to a debate in the US and Australia. |
Schools Minister Diana Johnson said the government was committed to tackling all forms of bullying, including working with technology companies on the misuse of new formats. | |
"It is important that young people being bullied know that they can report it and that it can be stopped. | |
"We are supporting parents to have the confidence to engage with their children on the challenges of modern life - including sex and technology. | |
"We are also supporting teachers to identify and intervene as early as possible." |