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