At present, anyone found texting intimate images of themselves to others (or via any form of social media) could receive a criminal record and be included on a list with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This includes youngsters, who run the risk of getting a criminal record and ruining their future career options if they are found to be sending sexts.
However, new ministerial guidelines to police, which are due to be approved by government and could be sent out “within weeks” advise that children who sext should not be prosecuted.
The reasoning is that this phenomenon is now considered a “normal part of modern growing up”. And indeed, it is.
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