Teenager sexting: Law change aimed at preventing sex offender listing

TEENAGERS would be free to share risque images under a radical plan before the Attorney-General that would classify sexting an “unproblematic” way for youngsters to “explore their identities”.

More than a third of teens aged 13 to 15 have sent a sexual image.

TEENAGERS would be free to share risque images under a radical plan before the Attorney-General that would classify sexting an “unproblematic” way for youngsters to “explore their identities”.

Changes to the law would protect lust-struck teens from winding up on the sex offenders’ registry because they sent or received an explicit image of a child. In NSW sexting is illegal under the age of 16.

A parliamentary committee into child sexualisation heard sexting is “unproblematic”, “enjoyable” and a “positive” part of teen relationships with “very little evidence” of peer pressure or coercion.

And they have now recommended law changes modelled on an overhaul in Victoria that removed the criminality of consensual sexting between teens.

“It is almost like needing a condom for an iPhone.”

The NSW government is considering the findings.

A statement from the Children and Young People’s Advocate said: “We very much welcome the report and its recommendations.

“We agree that the risks associated with consensual sexting between young people should be dealt with through education and programs rather than criminalising this behaviour of young people.”

Research shows more than a third of teens aged 13 to 15 have sent a sexual image while over 60 per cent have received one. These teens don’t consider the behaviour “risky”, unlike those aged 16 to 18 who do.

“It’s not thought of as problematic or a big deal for that younger group,” Youth Action chief executive officer Katie Acheson said.

“The law exists for good reason — to protect the young against exploitation.”

She said teaching teens about consent and image sharing was now more important for parents than attempting to stop their children snapping naked pictures.

“It is almost like needing a condom for an iPhone — how do we teach people to protect themselves and talk about consent in that way,” she said.

Law Society of NSW senior vice-president Pauline Wright called for Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton to ratify the recommendation.

But Family Voice Australia spokeswoman Roslyn Phillips cautioned against any changes.

“The law exists for good reason — to protect the young against exploitation,” she said.

Meanwhile, spurned lovers who send “revenge porn’’ will risk fines or being jailed under legal changes also being ­pushed by the parliamentary committee.

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