Interesting Green: Sexting on the rise among Singapore teens？

Today on Sunday, Sunday, May 06, 2012, Page 2, SundaySpecial, Columns
From http://www.todayonline.com/PDFViewer/PDF/20120506/0605FFW002.pdf
Source Website: http://www.todayonline.com/Sunday/SundaySpecial/EDC120506-0000006/Sexting-on-the-rise-among-Singapore-teens?
By Teo Xuanwei, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, 04:45 AM May 06, 2012

PHOTO: “Some think ‘this will not happen to me’, or ‘I can always go back to my normal life after a few years if the pictures are leaked’. But teenagers need to realise it’s not as private as they think ... Once leaked, it isn’t something that can just be erased ... (Exposure) could lead to bigger issues, like depression, breakdown in family relationships or an inability to trust.”

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http://www.todayonline.com/Sunday/SundaySpecial/EDC120506-0000006/Sexting-on-the-rise-among-Singapore-teens?

Those who send nude pictures of themselves often don't think it's wrong or potentially harmful

Every other week, Annie (not her real name) would send her boyfriend, who is serving National Service, a couple of pictures of herself in the nude.

"When he asked for it initially, I thought, 'It could be fun, and it will keep him missing me', so I started doing it. It definitely builds up the excitement until he meets me on weekends," the 18-year-old undergraduate said. "I don't think it's a big deal because it's quite common. I've heard of several people doing it."

Indeed, of the 10 male and female teenagers aged between 14 and 19 Today spoke to, all said they think "sexting" is now commonplace among their peers - pointing to the rising prevalence of such a phenomenon here, apparently.

Said Colleen Ng, 16: "Some of my friends already post very 'daring' photos on their Facebook page or blog. I'm quite sure that they are sexting with their boyfriends, too."

Andrew Lim, 16, added: "Some of my friends have shown me such pictures on their phones but I'm not sure if the girls are their friends or girlfriends or not."

PHOTO: "Some of my friends already post very 'daring' photos on their Facebook page or blog. I'm quite sure that they are sexting with their boyfriends, too."

http://nebulos.net/wp-content/videoimages/img_24877_california-on-sexting.jpg
http://nebulos.net/2011/02/13/media/favourites/california-on-sexting-24877

IS IT REALLY WIDESPREAD?

Some experts, however, believe sexting is not as widespread here as some may perceive. There has been no in-depth research of this issue locally. The anecdotal (based on casual observations) evidence is sometimes conflicting.

UniSIM Business School's head of communication programme Brian Lee, who has conducted various studies in youths' media behaviour over the past decade, said a survey he conducted among 420 polytechnic students a few months ago showed that less than 1 per cent of the respondents sent or received sexts.

But focus groups that he had conducted revealed that "almost all" the participants had heard that their friends had received or sent such messages, Dr Lee added.

Ms Iris Lin, a senior social worker with Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said they have not come across any youths who have sought help because of issues relating to sexting.

But she disagrees that the practice is not prevalent (commonly occurring) - the truth of the matter "depends on whether and how much the youths want to reveal" when asked, she said.

PHOTO: If you take a nude photo of yourself, and send it to another person, then that photo text becomes propery of the receiver. What they do with it is their choice, UNLESS, they try to make profit off your photo.

http://fitsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Sexting.jpg
http://www.fitsnews.com/2012/03/01/teen-sexting-ban-because-sc-has-no-real-problems-right/

OUT FOR INSTANT GRATIFICATION (sensual, satisfaction)

Whether or not sexting is catching on among teenagers here, the experts concur that the age of this vulnerable group alone is cause for greater scrutiny and safeguards.

"Some youths may think the physical aspects of a relationship are everything or worry that, if they turn down the request, they may be seen as not exciting, spontaneous or bold enough," said Ms Lin. "The possible consequences (of sexting) are in their heads, but it's not enough to stop them because they care only for instant gratification most of the time."

Mr Daniel Koh, a psychologist at Insights Mind Centre, added: "Some of them think: 'This will not happen to me', or 'I can always go back to my normal life after a few years if the pictures are leaked'. But teenagers need to realise that it's not as private or confidential as they think it is, even if they are sending to someone they feel they can trust. Once leaked, it isn't something that can just be erased."

He noted that accidental exposure of these intimate photos or videos could also go beyond the embarrassment and shame. "It could lead to bigger issues, like depression, breakdown in family relationships or an inability to trust," he said.

PHOTO: Teenagers need to realise that it's not as private or confidential as they think it is, even if they are sending to someone they feel they can trust. Once leaked, it isn't something that can just be erased." Asp is an old term used to describe a venomous snake.

http://blog.echopulse.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cd20110603.jpg
http://blog.echopulse.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/

NEED FOR STRONGER LAWS

Zoe (not her real name), the only other teenager among those interviewed by Today who revealed she engages in sexting, said she recently realised the gravity of the situation should things go awry, after reading about a court case in March.

A young couple was charged in court for extorting money from a man after they scammed him into undressing in front of a webcam.

Said the 17-year-old: "I never felt anything in the past when I watched the leaked videos of celebrities or sex pictures of some local polytechnic girls. It was only after the case that I seriously thought of the possible scenarios - if my nude photos are leaked because my boyfriend loses his handphone, or if our relationship suddenly goes wrong."

Stronger laws - it is already an offence to possess, circulate or distribute obscene materials in Singapore - could be part of the solution, opines Dr Lee. Although it might be a stop-gap solution, it will "send a strong signal to youths", he said.

Besides educating young children on cyber wellness, Ms Lin said parents need to impart values to their kids.

She said: "It's about going beyond the knowledge that some things are wrong, but why it is wrong."

By Teo Xuanwei, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, 04:45 AM May 06, 2012

PHOTO: The most serious sexting case to date concerns Jessica Logan, 18, from Ohio. Using her mobile, she sent her then boyfriend a nude photograph of herself – but after they broke up he sent it to their friends. Logan was labelled a ‘slut’, ‘skank’ and a ‘whore’. She started skipping school to avoid her tormentors. Eventually, she hanged herself, leaving her phone in the centre of the room where she committed suicide.

Today on Sunday, Sunday, May 06, 2012, Page 3, SundaySpecial, Columns

I never felt anything in the past when I watched the leaked videos of celebrities or sex pictures of some local polytechnic girls. It was only after the case (a man scammed into undressing in front of a webcam) that I seriously thought of the possible scenarios - if my nude photos are leaked because my boyfriend loses his handphone, or if our relationship suddenly goes wrong.

PHOTO: Sexting: "I never felt anything in the past when I watched the leaked videos of celebrities or sex pictures of some local polytechnic girls. It was only after the case (a man scammed into undressing in front of a webcam) that I seriously thought of the possible scenarios - if my nude photos are leaked because my boyfriend loses his handphone, or if our relationship suddenly goes wrong."
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnQNokzlhdii88cO9H4ERedTlw9F351DEy_FKa-mD6aF6oEc51OgCdM615Usk551LTSYJWCyzqRP1oB_FYXA7DpQ63tI4oVZt3inE9armkyL1JxoQS1jT1wGgyfqgw1WsjoHIGJD-hh2j/s1600/sexting_by_chatgr-d4vseu3.jpg

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/101/b/f/sexting_by_chatgr-d4vseu3.jpg
http://chatgr.deviantart.com/art/Sexting-295258395

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