Revenge porn and sexting
Define
Sexting: dissemination or publication of content (mainly photographs or videos) of a sexual nature, produced by the sender, using a mobile phone or other technological device.
Revenge Porn: dissemination or publication of sexual content of a person with whom there is a relationship of any kind (emotional, sexual, friendship…). This content was acquired with the consent of the person at a given moment but, after a certain period of time, it is disseminated without their consent.
Identify
- Being complacent and overconfident in their social relationships.
- Ignorance and/or unawareness of the risk of capturing audio-visual content and of how the internet works.
- Having an attitude of overexposure on networks, imitating famous or influential people.
- Low self-esteem
Act
Sexting
- Understand the nature of the involvement. Is it voluntary or not? Are they both minors or is there a risk that it is a danger of solicitation?
- Promote dialogue and don’t judge the minor or highlight potential mistakes. The most important thing is to raise awareness about the nature of the platforms used, to be as aware as possible of the potential risks involved and how to avoid them.
- In the event that the images used by the child have been disseminated against the will of the person portrayed, it is appropriate to contact the Postal and Communications Police Compartment, with the aim of obtaining the removal of the material, as far as possible, if online and the blocking of its dissemination via mobile devices.
Revenge porn
- A good digital, emotional and sexuality education, to the various nuances that it can assume (including the one in question), as well as a moderate control by adults towards children, can prevent disastrous outcomes in the beginning.
- Another extremely important point is the dialogue: young people should not be left free to “venture” into certain issues without any control, but it is necessary first of all to inform and talk to them about the issue, highlighting the possible risks, dangers and possible consequences.
It is proposed that participants search, with the help of the internet, for news and/or publications referring to cases of Sexting or Revenge Porn so that they become aware that this is something to which we are all exposed and which is more common than we think.
For children 12 – 17 years
First part: about 2 hours – working in small groups
Divide the kids into 5 small groups of 4 or 5 people to reflect on some issues:
- control: everything that is sent via smartphone or that you post online is mainly impossible to delete in a definitive form; although, a few moments from the click, we regret, someone may have already downloaded the images or have forwarded them immediately to other people;
- the risk of sextortion: the risk is to expose themselves also to possible blackmails; who accesses these images/videos, can easily use them to intentionally damage who is portrayed: a former boyfriend/girlfriend who wants to get revenge or a cyberbully can spread this material with extreme ease and victims will never have a chance to eliminate it permanently;
- reputation: images that can escape their control and have had an unwanted circulation, can damage the reputation of those who are portrayed, create problems with new partners, or even influence future employment relationships;
- grooming by potential abusive adults: giving a certain image of themselves online, perhaps on the profile of a social network, sexually interested persons may be attracted to minors who may have an incentive to access their personal data or attempt grooming;
- Child pornography: these images/videos fall within the definition of child pornography. Producing this material and especially spreading it is a crime, as provided in our penal code. The implications for the children involved depend on various factors, including age (if under the age of fourteen, the minor who for example retains and/or spreads the images – is not attributable) and the level of awareness with respect to the action taken.
Each group will prepare a billboard with images, keywords, news.
Second part: about 2 hours – work in plenary
Each group will present its own billboard to others to discuss the topic.
For children 12 – 17 years
Group of about 10 boys/girls
Prepare some conversations between a young couple that highlight the phenomenon of sexting.
The kids have to read them and then they will have to put themselves in the shoes of the protagonists and try to bring their emotions back in the group.
It may help to ask questions to stimulate reflection and discussion:
- Why did you send those photos?
- Why did the boyfriend share them?
- How did you feel before? And how do you feel after that?
- Does she deserve what happened to her?
- Why does the boyfriend feel/not feel guilty?
