Risk and Harm in Youth Sexting

This book draws upon interviews with teenage young people to explore their perspectives on risk and harm in 'youth sexting culture'. It focuses specifically on digital sexual image-sharing among young people. It contextualises the findings in terms of the wider literature on youth sexting and the broader theoretical and conceptual debates about the phenomenon in public and academic spheres. The book explores young people's attitudes toward and experiences of non-consensual sexting and privacy violations. It analyses the broader sociocultural context to youth sexting and discusses issues such as victim-blaming, social shaming and bullying within youth sexting culture. It reflects upon the nature of predominant approaches to responding to youth sexting (both legal and educational/pedagogic) and identifies what young people want and need when it comes to addressing risk and harm, based upon what the evidence shows about their situated realities and lived experiences. Public and academic discourse surrounding youth sexting, and the legal and educational policy responses to the phenomenon have developed and changed over recent years. The field is increasingly contested and there are ongoing debates about how to protect young people from harm while respecting their rights as individuals and encouraging them to develop into ethical sexual citizens, including within digital environments. This book presents empirical data to show how risk and harm in youth sexting culture is predicated upon a denial of rights to sexual and bodily integrity, autonomy and legitimacy.

Dr. Emily Setty is a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Surrey. Emily undertakes research with young people exploring their practices and experiences within their youth sexual and relational cultures. Emily is particularly interested in their perspectives on risky and harmful practices and in developing more youth-centred, impactful approaches to engaging with young people about the issues they face.

1. Chapter 1 - Introduction Abstract Conceptualising youth sexting Youth sexting as a technology-facilitated expression of the sexualisation of children and young people The meaning of 'childhood' and 'youth' Youth sexting as a sociocultural phenomenon Researching youth sexting: Methodology and scope Chapter outline References 2. Chapter 2 - The legal and educational policy context to youth sexting Abstract Youth sexting as risky and harmful The law and youth-produced sexual imagery Educational responses to youth sexting Gender, risk and sexting education Youth sexting as a 'moral panic' 'Rights', 'agency', 'legitimacy' and youth sexting References 3. Chapter 3 - Young people, technology and sexting Abstract Young people and technology Young people's perceptions of sexting Sexting, gender and relationships Sexting and gender Sexting and relationships Conclusion References 4. Chapter 4 - Privacy violations in youth sexting culture Abstract Young people, privacy and technology Young people, sexting and privacy Gender and (stigmatised) sexual and bodily expression Peer status hierarchies and 'popularity' dynamics Conclusion References 5. Chapter 5 - Sexting and consent: Unwanted, pressured and coerced image-sharing Abstract The pleasures and rewards of sexting Feeling 'used' and saying 'no' to sexting Pressured and coerced sexting Unsolicited image-sharing Conclusion References 6. Chapter 6 - Social shaming and victim blaming Abstract Managing risk and avoiding harm Victim blaming and social shaming 'Deserving' and 'undeserving' victims Negotiating shame and stigma Skye-Rose and Charlie - Resisting the shame Redefining bodily and sexual expression: 'Frexting' Conclusion References 7. Chapter 7 - Responding to youth sexting: Young people's perspectives Abstract Prohibiting sexting and encouraging abstinence Early intervention Sex(ting) education and interventions Empowering young people: Peer-based support and bystander intervention Conclusion References 8. Chapter 8 - Reducing risk and harm in youth sexting: Conclusions and ways forward Abstract Youth sexting as a cultural phenomenon Rights and ethics Sexting preventative education and interventions Taking a new approach to education and interventions Recommendations for policy and practice References