With three teenagers in Norfolk County facing child porn charges, OPP say they’re worried teens aren’t getting the message about the potential consequences of their online activity.
“We’re urging all parents and caregivers to sit down and speak to their children about the dangers of self-peer exploitation, otherwise known as sexting,” said Const. Ed Sanchuk.
The teens were charged with distributing child pornography earlier this week, after the alleged victim – another teenager from the area – walked into a police station to alert authorities to the issue.
It’s only the second time sexting has led to child porn charges in Norfolk County, but Sanchuk says it’s a growing trend across the province.
“A lot of teens are putting out sexually explicit images of themselves. They need to realize the long- and short-term dangers of where they end up,” he said.
“If you forward that photo on … you’re looking at a charge of distributing child pornography.”
Police aren’t saying where in Norfolk County the incident took place or which school the people involved attend.
Both the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board are involved with THINK, a campaign to teach students about appropriate ethical behaviour.
“We’re trying to create an environment … where kids feel safe. That would be in the classrooms, in the halls, in the yard and also online,” said Grand Erie superintendent Wayne Baker.
Baker calls the fight against sexting and other inappropriate online behaviours an “ongoing battle” which doesn’t always work as well as hoped – as evidenced by this week’s case.
“I do not believe that the student population, in general, understands (the dangers) well,” he said.
