MANDURAH’S most senior detective has spoken out following a spate of ‘sexting’ incidents in the local region.
Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit photos or messages via mobile phone.
And it has the potential to ruin young lives, according to detective senior sergeant Carlos Correia.
“It’s a huge problem,” he said.
“It’s something we never had to deal with before everyone had access to social media.
“Now it’s everywhere.”
Popular among teenagers, the activity has the potential to land participants in legal strife with laws forbidding the possession of naked photos of people under 18.
Related offences include the distribution of explicit photos on social media platforms and the production of sexual content involving minors.
“It’s a crime,” det snr-sgt Correia said.
“It’s a criminal offence which will haunt people later.”
Det snr-sgt Correia said his team had investigated several sexting incidents after parents raised the issue with police.
A number of local teenagers have been spoken to in relation to the fad, and while no charges have been laid at this stage, det snr-sgt Correia warned those engaging in the activity to think about the implications of sexting.
“We’ve investigated a dozen incidents in the past months,” he said.
“Kids really need to think about what they’re doing.
“Some of these pictures may never see the light of day, but some could be there forever.
“It will come back to haunt you.”
Apart from the potentially criminal implications involved with sexting, det snr-sgt Correia said the activity could lead to anxiety, depression and self-harm in young people.
“We have concerns if people continue to do this,” he said.
“We want to stop it.
“When it goes wrong we get girls being labelled ‘sluts’, there is humiliation and depression.
“There is the potential for suicide.”
Det snr-sgt urged parents to talk to their children about the issue.
He said local schools had been effective in raising awareness of the pitfalls of sexting and the importance of maintaining an appropriate online presence, but it was up to parents to drive the message home.
“Parents need to be having a good talk to their kids about it,” det snr-sgt Correia said.
“Really, have a chat with your kids; keep pumping that message out.
“We really need parents to take responsibility here.”
