Devon and Cornwall Police today launched a campaign to educate young people under the age of 18 about the consequences of sexting.

Sexting is the term used for the sending or receiving of sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos which can be taken by a young person of themselves, or by others. 

It is illegal for anyone to take, send, receive or share these types of images of anyone under 18 – including selfies. 

Devon and Cornwall Police say their primary concern is to avoid criminalising young people where it is not appropriate, which is why the campaign has been launched to educate young people and their parents.

Reports of under 18s sexting in Devon and Cornwall have nearly tripled in recent years, from 115 reports between November 2015 and October 2016, to 440 reports between November 2016 and October 2017. 

However, it is largely unreported and therefore the true number of sexting incidents is unknown, said police.

Messages will go out to parents today on Facebook and Twitter, and to young people on Instagram and Snapchat. 

Printed materials will also be utilised to extend the reach of the safety messages outside the digital world.

This builds on the work that officers and PCSOs have already been doing with schools and youth groups.

Superintendent Matt Lawler said: ‘Education and safeguarding is at the forefront of all we do with young people as a police force.  We want to re-affirm to young people and parents that we are here to help when you need us. 

‘Technology has become ever more advanced and available.  This is why our sexting campaign is of such importance.  By educating young people about the law around sexting and the potential consequences of sending these types of images, we can help them to avoid making a decision they later regret.

‘Our main message to young people is this: when you press send, you lose control of that image – where it ends up on the internet and who sees it – you’re not just breaking the law.’

Parents and carers can get more information, with links to help and support, by visiting dc.police.uk/advice/parenting

Young people can get more information, with links to help and support, by visiting dc.police.uk/youth/sexting