Main description:

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.

Contents:

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