As teenagers across the country settle in to a third term at school, police have issued a warning: “Respect your mates, don’t share their nudes.”
Police have seen a recent “increase” in reports of young people sharing naked photos of their peers online, with other students from their schools, or even teens they don’t even know,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kepal Richards from the NZ Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand team said.
Richards said that when such images are shared on social media platforms, they get reported to the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“They are identified on these platforms as child exploitation material which is illegal to produce, possess or distribute.”
NCMEC then provides the information to the New Zealand police, the Department of Internal Affairs, and Customs who investigate.
Richards said police receive “multiple” tips a week from NCMEC about naked photos being shared online. Police review each incident on a case-by-case basis.
“The action taken by Police can range from a welfare visit to the young people involved, discussions with school staff or in some cases, it may be appropriate that charges are considered depending on the type of material and the circumstances in which they were produced or distributed online.
“While we advocate young people don’t share naked images of themselves, we know it happens.
“If you receive a nude of another young person, don’t be part of the cycle and post it somewhere else.
“Delete the message, be kind, and think about how you would feel if the image was of you.
“We know that when a young person discovers a naked image of themselves has been sent to often large numbers of their peers, it can have a significant detrimental effect on their mental health.”
Incidents can be reported to police by calling 111 (in an emergency) or 105 (non-emergency).
Young people can also text “Netsafe” to 4282 or email [email protected]. You can also call toll-free at 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) or file an online report form on Netsafe’s website.