Sexting and institutional discourses of child protection: The views of young people and providers of relationship and sex education

This article focuses on discourses of child safety and protection stakeholder organisations (SOs) school pastoral care co-ordinators (PCCs) educating young people about sexting. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the representatives four who assist schools in delivery Relationships Sexuality Education (RSE); three PCCs different types secondary Northern Ireland to ascertain how their educates responds Focus groups also 17 (10 girls 7 boys) 16–17-year-olds explore views The results this study reveal that predominant discourse RSE is protection, abstention from main (young people, SOs PCCs) vary, however, they view sexting behaviour: stakeholders are largely cautious counsel against sending sexual pictures, while regard it as normal behaviour. provided by inadequate unrealistic, does not represent what actually goes people’s lives. Young want be consulted content lessons resources; should desist telling them sext enable appropriate relationship behaviours, including Teachers feel confident teaching such material have access training.