Sexting

This study by the Internet Watch Foundation was designed to provide a snapshot of the availability of online self-generated sexual content featuring young people and the extent to which such content, once posted online, is then redistributed via parasite websites. Conclusions The amount of self-generated content assessed during the course of the study provides a snapshot of the large volumes of self-generated content featuring young people currently in circulation online. The finding that 88% of the content assessed appeared on parasite websites demonstrates the extent to which control over self-generated content can be lost once it has been circulated online. Once this content has been redistributed to parasite websites, the young people depicted have no direct control regarding its removal or onward distribution with the result that potentially it may never subsequently be possible to remove it entirely from circulation. The finding provides child protection agencies (such as Childnet and South West Grid for Learning) with the evidence to demonstrate this fact to young people in order that they may gain a greater understanding of the risks.