Given the increased popularity of Smart Phone ownership amongst
teenagers the trend of “sexting” or “nude
selfies” has existed for some time. This involves individuals
taking revealing photographs of themselves to share with peers,
boyfriends and girlfriends. This behaviour is by no means confined
to adults and minors engaging in “sexting” have raised
significant legal issues as the photographs they take of themselves
are legally classified as “child abuse material” or
child pornography.
The taking, sending and possession of nude selfies amongst
minors have previously amounted to serious offences which could
result in imprisonment and registration as a sex offender. While
not wanting to promote sexting behaviour amongst minors,
authorities have wanted to avoid the association of this behaviour
with far more serious offences more conventionally associated with
child pornography.
