Activity 1: What is sexting? Activity 1 Understanding sexting Page 5–6 Subject focus Explore student knowledge of sexting behaviour Duration Resources required Internet access to view the video Alarmed. Instructions Brainstorm what students think sexting is. Watch the video, Alarmed to start the activity. The one minute video depicts a teenage girl’s fear of the consequences of her sexting behaviour. Use the video as a prompt for the discussion of the issues below: Do you know of anyone that has received a sexting image or video? Do you know of any cases where a shared image went to more people than it should have? What would you think if you saw a naked or sexual image of a friend/young relative? Would it change the way you view them or is this normal behaviour now? What do you think about sharing naked or sexual images in a relationship if both parties agree they won’t share the pics? Is sexting is covered by any law in Australia? What do you think about celebrities complaining about their sexting images being leaked online? Name three risks in sending sexting images. Activity 1: Notes and answers for teachers Activity 1: Notes and answers for teachers1. ‘Sexting’ is the sending of nude, semi-naked, provocative or sexual photos, messages or videos using a mobile phone or the internet. These are sometimes known as ‘sexy pics’ or ‘noodz’. 3a It is possible that some students may have received sexting images. If students receive this type of content, they should not forward it. If possible, tell the person who sent it to refrain from sending any other content of this nature (possible using an excuse “my Mum found it and freaked out’, ‘you could be charged as a sex offender’. Consider talking to a trusted adult (parent/teacher/school counsellor) who can help decide whether to delete it or retain for evidence.
Group Discussion: What should Yasmin do? Should Yasmin get over it and not be so sensitive? Should she report it to someone at the school? How might Yasmin’s parents react if she seeks help from them? Do you think the students’ behaviour towards Yasmin is cyberbullying and harassment? How do you know when the line between a bit of fun and bullying has been crossed (remember for bullying there must be intention to harm, repeated actions and a power imbalance)? How would you feel in this situation—being sent texts every day with people watching for your reaction? If you knew this was happening to someone like Yasmin, what could you do? How do you think someone can help without becoming a target of the bullies? In your view what motivates bullies to target a person? Have you ever seen cyberbullying behaviour be effectively stopped? What worked? Write down your answers and reasons. Scenario 6 - Carl Carl sends Toby a naked picture of his girlfriend Ava. Toby says ‘Hey sicko that’s not cool she’s 15, I don’t want to be a sex offender. I’m deleting.’ Group Discussion: Did Toby do the right thing? What are your reasons? What would Carl’s reaction be? Is Toby taking a friendship risk by responding like he did? How could Toby make sure Carl didn’t send the naked picture sext to anyone else? What has Carl done to Ava’s digital reputation? Would Ava have realised the potential consequences of having this photograph taken? Write down your answers and reasons. WORKSHEET 2: Real life examples Sexting can sometimes be more than a ‘bit of fun’ as shown by the sexting incident below. In 2013, two popular seventeen year old boys asked numerous girls at their secondary school to send sexy pics of themselves. The boys used screen shots to collect the pictures and downloaded them onto their mobile phones. The police found out about the images and seized the boys’ phones. Following the police investigation, the boys were expelled from school and received an official police caution.