Irish teens have the fourth highest levels of sexting in Europe. The EU study shows that sharing images of a sexual content is seen as a 'normal' part of growing up.
Over 25% of secondary schools students say they have sent or received sexts. Boys from a lower socio-economic background and 14 to 17-year-olds are also more likely to engage in the behaviour. The results of the survey will be presented at an Anti-Bullying Conference at DCU today.
Speaking about the statistics relating to Irish teens, Dr James O’Higgins Norman, Director of the Anti-Bullying Research Centre said: “One of the reasons why Irish youth score so high in terms of sexting is related to a lack of a coherent relationships and sexualities education (RSE) programme in schools.
It is estimated that up to 50% of schools in Ireland do not deliver appropriate RSE and when it is delivered it can be formal and focus too much on disease, crisis pregnancy and other negatives instead of emotions and other complexities related to sex.”
