It seems more and more children are sexting, and now view it as a safe way to explore their sexuality, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
Director of Services at the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), Caroline O’Sullivan has warned that more young people are now sexting and are feeling pressure to send more explicit images.
Ms O’Sullivan told the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs that young people in relationships feel compelled to send explicit images of themselves to their partners.
She spoke of a nine-year-old girl who had called Childline after she had sent photographs to a classmate who then forwarded them to all the boys in her class.
The ISPCC is recommending that a national cyber safety plan be developed for children.
“There is an urgent need for law reform to address the gaps in cybercrime legislation, to improve practice and to afford children greater protection online,” said ISPCC chief executive, Gráinne Long.
