One of the most challenging aspects of child online exploitation is when these crimes involve self-generated content. At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, they see reports that include this type of content depicting children of all ages. Investigating these types of cases is hard enough, but how can we prevent a crime when the victim is the one creating the images used to exploit them? This workshop will include an interactive discussion to better understand these behaviors in children and adolescents using a developmental perspective. The presenter will then discuss how to apply the trauma-informed approach to tailoring prevention messages to specific age groups about self-generated imagery. The presenter will also share free resources that can be used in your community to address issues of self-generated content with children from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
Learning Objectives:
Identify and access at least three resources available online to address self-generated content with elementary, middle, or high school audiences.
Explain why targeting sexting prevention messaging to potential “requesters” and “re-sharers” instead of just on teenagers thinking of creating and sending those messages is more trauma-informed.
Articulate why it is important to address self-generated content in prevention programs and messaging with young children, not just tweens and teens.
