Sexting 'common' in schools

A national charity says the problem of sexting has become so common that girls are being asked to pose for pictures two or three times a week.

Sexting is where children take explict pictures of themselves and send them to friends or post them on the internet.

What is sexting?

Where children take explicit pictures of themselves and send them to friends or post them on the internet.

Where can I find help I'm concerned?

Here is a list of some national charities that offer advice in dealing with sexting:

• ChildLine
• NSPCC
• Family Lives

Between April 2010 and March 2011, a helpline from the national charity Family Lives received 1,226 phone calls concerning children's sexual behaviour. This amounts to 3% of all long calls to the Family Lives Helpline.

The charity found that:

• 38% of calls revolve around general sexual behaviour issues
• 32% of calls revolve around underage sex. In overall, most issues relate to 13-15 year olds
• 66% of calls resulted in unlawfully sexual behaviour, for which further action needed to be taken

Durham Police says there are 'growing concerns' that perpetrators can use mobile phones to groom children.

It issued a statement after being contacted by Tyne Tees about the problem of 'sexting'.

The force says it is training officers who will go into schools to deliver Internet Safety Messages.

Suzie Hayman, from the charity Family Lives, warns that 'sexting' is becoming so common place that it is affecting children's behaviour.

A charity has warned that 'sexting' is on the increase in North East schools.

'Sexting' is where people take naked or sexual pictures of themselves and send them on to others. It can also involve messaging pornography to people.

Family Lives say in some schools it has become common practice.