Researchers have warned kids about responding to online requests for sexual pictures of themselves. The warning was issued after a new study shows that 4 percent of children have been asked for sexually explicit pictures of themselves online.

Kids are basically being asked to produce child pornography. The study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health surveyed 1,500 youths ages 10 to 17. About 4 percent were asked for sexual pictures, while nearly 10 percent were asked to send photos of themselves.

Kids should know that complying with the request could make themselves the victims and perpetrators of child pornography, said Kimberly Mitchell, a research professor at the University of New Hampshire ’s Crimes Against Children Research Center.

“One of the things we really need to start doing is talk to kids more directly and informing them of thecriminal implications of this type of thing, encouraging them to be aware of these situations andto report them,” Mitchell told ABC News.

Given today’s technology, it is no longer safe to assume that the image sent is only for personal use of the requester and kids should be aware how quickly such photo can circulate and be in the wrong hands.

Michelle Collins, director of the exploited children division of the government-funded National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which sponsored the study, said parents should educate their children about personal responsibility before letting them use image capturing devices.

Many Internet-safety experts believed that the blanket advice “never give out your personal information online” or in this case “never give sexually explicit photo of you” is still the best line of defense. This will not only help kids stay safe but avoid potential violation of child-pornography laws.

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Entry was posted on Saturday, July 21st, 2007 at 1:07 pm under Adult content, Internet.

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