This book explores the policing response to teen sexting – the digital exchange, both consensual and non-consensual, of intimate images among youth peers. With a particular focus in England and Wales, it also considers other international responses and the challenges faced in policing youth practices with legislation being applied beyond its intended scope. It uses the police responses in England and Wales as a case study of the challenges of policy evolving the digital cultural phenomenon and the tensions between enforcing the law, while knowing it’s not fit for purpose, and supporting vulnerable minors. It explores the policy responses that have developed from the problematic legislation and whether these policy interventions have helped or hindered the policing process. It draws in parallels with drugs policy and policing, and brings in progressive, harm reduction approaches in contrast to traditional solutions.
Author(s): Andy Phippen, Emma Bond
Series: Palgrave's Critical Policing Studies
Publisher: Palgrave Pivot
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 125
City: Cham
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
References
2 Teen Sexting: A Modern, Cultural Phenomenon? Or Not So New?
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Childhood and Sexuality
2.3 Researching Sexting with Young People
2.4 Children’s Views
2.5 “But It’s Illegal”
2.6 Young People’s Views on Police
2.7 Conclusions
References
3 Legal Challenges
3.1 Introduction
3.2 International Perspectives
3.3 Geographical Challenges and the UK Position
3.4 The Online Safety Bill 2023
3.5 Conclusion
References
4 Understanding the Police Response: Putting Sticking Plasters over Legislation
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Application of Sticking Plasters
4.3 What Does This Mean for Young People?
4.4 Conclusions
References
5 The Challenges of Diversionary Intervention
5.1 Introduction
5.2 A Criminal Justice Process
5.3 An Analysis of Intervention at the Grass Roots
5.4 Facing the Policing Challenges
References
6 A Progressive Future?
6.1 Teen Sexting as an Error of Judgement
6.2 Headstart Kernow
6.3 Harm Reduction and Online Harms
6.4 What Works?
6.5 A Change in the Law
6.6 Conclusions
6.7 Personal Reflection
References
Index
