Cootamundra LAC youth liaison officer Senior Constable Joe Camilleri said many young people didn’t understand the serious implications “sexting” could have, with the potential to land them in hot water.

“Some of the images are pornographic in nature and if the young person is under the age of 16, they have inadvertently created child pornography,” Senior Constable Camilleri said. 

He said police had recently dealt with three juveniles for the offence of possess and disseminate child pornography.

 “The young people stated that they did not realise the far-reaching consequences of their actions and the possible affect it could have on them for years to come,” he said. 

If convicted at court for child pornography offences, offenders can be placed on the Child Protection Register.

 “Parents need to be diligent in ensuring they are up-to-date with modern technology.”

Cootamundra LAC police, along with other community organisations, are involved with education programs in local schools, starting in primary schools.

Senior Constable Camillieri said the aim was to instill the cyber-safety message at a young age.

“(At a primary school level) we try to warn them that you don’t necessarily know who you’re talking to - you could be talking to some 50-year-old man,” he said.

Senior Constable Camillieri said police had also dealt with a number of incidents related to cyber bullying. 

 “We’ve taken action before but a lot of kids just don’t seem to care about it,” he said.

“But I think what’s happening is a lot of people are tending not to report it.

“We know constant cyber bullying can lead to depression and even worse.”

Young High School principal Andrew Turvey said his students were hearing the cyber-safety message. 

“I’d say we’ve had a decrease in cyber bullying very much related to the proactive stance we’ve taken,” he said.

 “We work closely with police and parents.

“We’ve got very strong links with our parents…we take a whole of community approach.

“But we’re on our toes all the time as well.”

Hennessy Catholic College principal Peter Webster said the school was focused on stamping out any form of bullying.  

“I don’t believe it’s increased but it’s something we have to monitor,” Dr Webster said.

“Bullying is something that we take very seriously…the full gamut of bullying is a real issue in our society. 

“It is prevalent in all schools.

“One thing for certain is that Hennesy takes it seriously.”

Young North Public School principal Kel Smerdon said that while the school had few problems with cyber bullying and safety, it was focused on teaching appropriate use of the technology. 

He also urged parents to keep children off social media sites until they were old enough.

“I know there’s a lot of social pressure to be a part of certain programs and I know it’s hard for parents to not give in,” he said.

“But they are stated in their policies they are for a certain age and that’s for a good reason.”

But he also wanted to emphasise the positive affect the internet could have on a child’s development.

“There’s often negative attention towards using the internet but there’s also the potential for internet to be really positive,” he said.

Further information for parents and children can be found at http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/ and http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/