Sexting should be included in compulsory sex education

Nearly 8 out of 10 British adults (79 per cent) agree that young people should be taught about sexting through compulsory sex and relationships education, a new survey reveals.

The poll was commissioned by Plan International UK, the global children’s charity, as part of its Because I am a Girl campaign to end violence and harassment of girls in schools, both globally and in the UK.

Young people need education about the realities of life and relationships, including the impact of technology. This can be done effectively through good quality sex and relationships education, advises the charity.

“Sexting has become a part of day to day relationships for many adults but it can also be used in a negative way to harass and humiliate people, and girls are seeing the negative impact of this on a regular basis.

It is vital that young people are helped to understand about healthy relationships and consent.  We know that evidence increasingly shows compulsory sex education helps young people to develop healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships,” says Plan International UK Chief Executive, Tanya Barron.

“Many young people view sexting as the norm. The reality is that this view is not reflected in law and young people can be committing an illegal act without knowing it.

Rather than ignore the impact technology is having on their relationships, we need to better support them so that they understand what consent is, what the law really means for them and what healthy boundaries are.”

Under current law, two 15 year-olds sexting one another risk being prosecuted and put on the sex offenders register. Such punishments can have a devastating impact on the lives of young people.

The survey also found more than half (56 per cent) of adults surveyed, disagree with this current law on sexting which can prosecute boyfriends or girlfriends for swapping images of a sexual nature on their mobile phones.***

A further 8 out of 10 (80 per cent) of those aged 18-65 and over asked believe young people need to be taught about the sex offences act of 2003 which includes information on consent and sexual offences. ****

“Current legislation and guidance on sexting is outdated,” adds Ms Barron. “Of course it’s vital that the law continues to protect young people against sexual exploitation, but we need to revise the law so that it doesn’t punish them unfairly for sexual exploration.

“This will require a joined up approach with teachers, schools and the police at a local level and across government departments for education, criminal justice and addressing violence against girls, so that together we can better support our young people.”

Sexual violence is a global problem mostly targeted at girls. 150 million girls worldwide have experienced sexual violence.

Earlier this year Plan International UK revealed how one in five women in the UK had experienced sexual violence in or around school as schools girls.

Today’s findings show the urgent need for compulsory sex and relationships education in schools to help better inform and protect young people, especially girls who are often the victims.

Plan International UK is calling for the government to commit to compulsory sex education which includes information on sexting, consent, healthy relationships and the law.

 

*NET responses of agree and completely agree this question consists of 1,575 responses (79%)

**NET response of agree and completely agree for this question consists of 1609 responses(80%)

Responses are to the following question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

-       Sex education should be compulsory across all secondary schools in England (local authority maintained, free schools and academies)

-       Sex education which includes information on sexting should be compulsory across all secondary schools in England

-       The sexual offences act of 2003 should be compulsorily covered during sex education across all secondary schools in England.

***NET responses of disagree and completely disagree for this question consist of 1112 responses (56%)

Responses are to the following question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following, that a person under the age of 18

-       Should be allowed to have explicit images or video of a girlfriend/boyfriend who is under 18 years on their mobile.

****NET responses of disagree and completely disagree for this question consist of 1609 responses (80%)