the feminist librarian reads

Kids sext, for the most part, because they are exploring relationships. We need to recognize that all sexts are not created equal. There is a difference between a teen taking a nude selfie to share it with a specific person and that person’s non-consensual sharing of that image with others. Forwarding sexy images meant for your eyes only is a violation of trust that has the potential to substantively hurt the person in the photograph, particularly if that person is female. Authorities—school administrators, parents, counselors, police, media—frequently combine the two acts. Failing to distinguish between these acts perpetuates a culture that ignores consent and reinforces sexist double standards regarding gender, sexuality, and privacy.