Police don't want to criminalise children for sexting

National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Child Protection, Chief Constable Simon Bailey said:

“The police don’t want children and young people to be criminalised unnecessarily. If their behaviour can be dealt with in other - more appropriate - ways then it should be.

“However, it’s important to understand that sexting is not harmless. Once a message is sent, control over that image or wording is lost, and children can become vulnerable to fear, embarrassment, blackmail or even criminal exploitation.

“The police will always investigate cases using common sense and their own professional judgement. As chief officers, our aim is to support that decision-making process.

“Increasingly, the divide between the digital and physical worlds no longer exists, so education by the right people is key. Parents and teachers should not be afraid to talk to young people about their activities online and explain the value of privacy.”