NCMEC Offers "Sexting" Cautions

"Sexting" is a complex issue that covers a wide range of severity.  NCMEC believes that the primary response to "sexting" must be positive, empowering educational messages directed to parents and teens.  Parents must become more involved in their children's lives, be more aware of what they are doing, and set limits.  Teens must become better informed about the implications and repercussions of their acts."

Two years ago, before the word "sexting" was invented, NCMEC launched a public service advertising campaign in partnership with the Ad Council.  The message was "Think Before You Post."  The campaign sought to alert teens to the risks associated with "sexting" and other online communications.  Once the images are out there, you can't get them back.  They can affect a teen's future, impact his or her ability to be admitted to college, be hired for jobs, and much more.

Yet, NCMEC also believes that in some instances, "sexting" entails serious criminal acts requiring investigation by law enforcement and action by authorities.  The vast majority of these cases should be handled through the juvenile justice system with its rehabilitative ideal.  But in some instances, more severe sanctions may be necessary.

A survey conducted for NCMEC by Cox Communications and released in June 2009 found that 19% of teens surveyed had sent, received, or forwarded sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photos through text message or e-mail.  Of the teens surveyed who had engaged in "sexting," 60% sent the photos to a boyfriend/girlfriend and 11% sent them to someone they did not know.

NCMEC knows about "sexting" firsthand.  NCMEC's Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed 27 million child pornography images and videos since 2003, 9 million in the past year alone.  Of the children successfully identified and rescued, 10% of the images were self-produced.  Another 14% were produced as a result of online enticement by another party who persuaded or extorted youth into taking and sending explicit photos.

A copy of the new Policy Statement on Sexting issued by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can be found on the organization's web site www.missingkids.com.

Additional resources for parents include:  Safety tips for cell phone use can be found at www.NetSmartz411.org.  Parents can locate an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in their area at www.icactraining.org.  Suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at www.cybertipline.com.

This year the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children observes its 25th anniversary.  NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 142,000 children.  Today, more children come home safely than any other year in the organization's 25-year history raising the recovery rate from 62% in 1990 to 97% today.  And more of those who prey on children are identified and prosecuted.  Yet too many children are still missing and too many are still the victims of sexual exploitation.  There is much more that needs to be done.