HAVING full and frank conversations with children about the dangers of "sexting" is the best way parents can prevent their kids falling victim to revenge porn.
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Sexting, or the sending of nude pictures, has come under the spotlight in Bathurst, after a group Snapchat featuring images of Bathurst teenagers surfaced.
Social media expert, Peter Sutton, from Kai Ming Consulting, said sexting is so common, it's almost seen as normalised behaviour.
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"I know it's shocking for some people to hear, but being aware puts you in a better position to do something."
He said it is a complex situation, but his advice to parents is talk early with your kids and talk often.
"Kids developmentally are not ready for this, they can't understand the consequences yet they have the tools in-front of them to do it," he said
"What I would say is don't tell them not to do it; if you say that they'll almost all do it.
"Its got to be a much broader conversation.
"Unpack it for them, because it's the only way they will understand the consequences.
"Hold their hand, meet them as an equal, walk it through with them and tell them the implications.
"We do it with sex education, we do it with driving training.
"You don't throw your car keys at your kids when they turn 16 and say go drive.
"This is no different. Talk to them and teach them. Unpack it and front-load it for them because there is a lot of information to take in.
He said if the worst case scenario evolves, and your child becomes a victim, parents have choices which range from doing nothing to legal action.
Mr Sutton said "hoping it goes away" is not an option.
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"It won't. These things tend to have two, three four year life cycles."
Mr Sutton said parents can report the incident to the Commission of e-safety, who work really hard to get it down. Or take the legal path, and report it to police.
He said the most important thing is if the worst case scenario evolves, it's important victims feel comfortable speaking up.
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