Outcry as children aged only 11 taught about the ‘risks and rewards’ of sexting
Children as young as 11 are being taught the ‘risks and rewards’ of sending nude pictures to each other.
Lesson material compiled for Scottish schools delve into the murky world of ‘sexting’, the practice of swapping deeply intimate messages.
The teaching guidance for youngsters aged 11+ says perceived ‘rewards’ may include feeling ‘grown-up’ and ‘sexy’.
Among the number of risks that children should be aware of, according to the lesson plan, is that private images could end up on ‘paedophile sites’.
According to the law, any child under the age of 18 who sends a naked picture could fall foul of child pornography legislation and be charged with disseminating an indecent image of a child.
The Mail on Sunday covered the tragic case of a Scots schoolboy who took his own life after he was tricked into sending intimate pictures of himself to ruthless online blackmailers.
Last night, critics urged the lessons to be withdrawn immediately.
Children are being told about the murky world of sexting
A spokesman for the Family Education Trust said: ‘Children under the age of consent should not be sexualised at school and have their innocence ruined.’
Christopher McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education said: ‘This material is alarming. It is likely to horrify most parents because it advertises to children the practice of sexting.
‘It normalises the practice by presenting it in terms of “rewards and risks”, pros and cons. This is iniquitous.’
The controversial Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) programme, led by a mix of Scottish local authorities and NHS health boards and backed by the Scottish Government, points teachers towards a ‘Reward Foundation’ resource which addresses the issue of sexting.
RSHP chiefs claim the programme helps young people respond effectively to romantic pressure.
Among the ‘learning objectives’ set out in one lesson plan is that it ‘extend[s] understanding of risks and rewards associated with sexting’.
Youngsters are presented with a number case studies, including one which tells the fictional story of Cait and David, which they are encouraged to discuss in groups.
It reads: ‘Cait, age 12, met David in a chat room online. David says he is 19 years old. David told Cait she sounds beautiful and would like to see her. Would she send him a photo in her underwear? Cait thought that was harmless enough. It wasn’t any different to wearing a bikini.’
It asks: ‘What are the potential rewards for Cait and David?’ to which it supplies two answers: ‘Cait: Feels grown-up, sexy, thinks she may be getting into a relationship. David: Gets what he wants, sets up Cait for further coercion or grooming.’
Although it admits that Cait taking and distributing an indecent image of herself could be considered illegal, and advises against it, the guidance adds: ‘If Cait sends it, she is not likely to be charged. Police are interested in the one with more influence by reason of age.’
Last night Police Scotland refused to comment on whether or not this guidance was accurate.
However, a spokesman last night said it was important to raise awareness of online safety in order to empower children to recognise potential risks and report them.
The lesson plans also help children to navigate the world of sexting if they feel that a conversation has gone too far.
It suggests that if a boy asks for an intimate image of a girl’s breasts, she send back an image of two blue tit birds.
A Scottish Government spokesman said that ‘equipping young people with the knowledge and understanding of important issues like consent, appropriate relationships and boundaries’ can be crucial in helping to reduce gender-based violence.
They added: ‘While the delivery of RSHP education is for local authorities, the Scottish Government is clear that it must be factual and presented in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner.’
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the resources ‘make clear that generating intimate im-ages and sharing them is illegal for anyone under 18, even if there is consent’.
Mary Sharpe, CEO of the Reward Foundation said: ‘Children should learn about sexting at 11 years. Today 91 per cent of 11-year-olds in the UK have a smartphone. Puberty makes children curious about sex, take risks and experiment. They learn from pornography how to be coercive to obtain nude images of classmates. A third of child sexual abuse material circulating online is self-generated by children.
‘The Reward Foundation’s (free) lessons encourage critical thinking about the risks and rewards of sexting. We emphasise that sexting by minors is illegal. It is never “rewarding” in a beneficial sense, though may provide an ill-advised, short-term thrill.’
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