Kids Helpline (KHL) is greatly concerned about recent reports of thousands of graphic images of school aged girls posted and traded on the internet because it highlights the impact the increased availability of pornography is having on young people and the objectification of women.

According to yourtown/KHL CEO Tracy Adams, the 24/7 helpline often receives contacts from children and young people concerned about peer relationships, including coerced sexting and pornography.

“KHL Counsellors all too often hear young people talk about threats and coercion in relation to ‘sexting’, that is the self-production or distribution of naked or semi naked images,” Ms Adams said.

“A report of KHL contacts between July and December 2015,  revealed 95 were about sexting. Of these, 38% discussed significant coercion associated with sexting and 83% reporting significant concern were female.

“It’s concerning that we may be creating a generation of young men, or women, that think this type of exploitation is OK.  Pornography is now readily accessible and society has normalised it without necessarily considering the implications this is having on young children.”

Ms Adams said that Kids Helpline shared the Australian Psychological Society’s concern that the consumption of this type of pornography was most likely linked to violence against women. 

“Research shows that mainstream pornography has changed. What used to be considered ‘hard core’ is now typical. It routinely shows aggression and disregards consent. It’s also available any time and anywhere via the internet,” she said.

“Objectification and violence are clearly both symptoms of a lack of respect of the personal rights of individuals to be safe from harm.”

Kids Helpline recommends that community and educational awareness programs about sexuality and pornography be developed to promote: