Worries over rise in South Yorkshire children sending inapproprate pictures

Rotherham youth worker is concerned that more and more young people are putting themselves at risk.

Published 12th Jul 2017
Last updated 12th Jul 2017

A youth worker from Rotherham is worried more and more kids are putting themselves at risk of abuse - by sending inappropriate pictures online

Rachel Frier, 27, wants young people to know about the dangers of 'sexting' and how easy it is to be exploited online.

She's worked with young people affected by the Rotherham sex abuse scandal and says the outcome can be traumatic:

"It's really devastating to some of the young people, their lives and their families also. It has a major impact on them, when young people are sending indecent images to either young people who are a similar age or to someone that they don't know, there's always that point that they could be blackmailed, it could become really dangerous."

"The young people that I work with are vulnerable young people who dont always know or understand the dangers of sending indecent pictures, it's becoming more and more common and some people just don't understand the dangers of it."

She has witnessed the devastation that can come from online grooming and has made a film to help educate young people and their families on the dangers caused by internet grooming.

"They think it's normal if their friends are doing it then they might do it, parents need to be educated about all aspects of online safety from the first tablet that they give their child or the first phone that they give their child. It'll give them a better understanding, they'll know how to stay safe and they'll know all the risks and all the dangers that could happen."

Working with Fixers, a charity that helps young people to have a voice and supports them to campaign on issues important to them.

Rachel helped make the film 'Sarah's online love', which shows how easy it can be for young people to be lured into sharing explicit images.

She says it's got an important message:

"My message is to educate young people, and everyone really about the dangers of what can happen: sending indecent images, speaking to people that you don't know online and just getting the message out their to as many people as possible.If my project can help just one young person and stop them being exploited then it with be worthwhile.