Children as young as 10 investigated by police for 'sexting'

West Mercia Police said officers had looked into 74 cases of children sending or sharing explicit or naked pictures of themselves on social media or text messaging services to others in the last year.

All the children involved were aged between 10 and 17 years old.

Warwickshire Police investigated 33 people in the same age group, while West Midlands Police say they have investigated more than 70 children under the age of 18 for making, possessing or distributing indecent images over the past three years.

Nine young people were charged with the offence, while seven others received a police caution.

The figures have been released as part of a drive to raise aware of the dangers of being prosecuted for sharing indecent messages and to emphasise the importance of staying safe online.

It comes as police forces across the country have joined up with hundreds of organisations including the NSPCC and local authorities in a bid to highlight the hidden dangers of the web to mark Safer Internet Day.

The day was initially launched in 2011 and is run by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

This year's theme is raising awareness about online hate and there will be a number of activities going on nationwide promoting a kinder, more respectful and inclusive internet.

The NSPCC said nationally there were 1,200 ChildLine counselling sessions that mentioned 'sexting' in 2014/15, the period for which the most recent figures are available.

Karol Keenan, NSPCC service manager in Birmingham, said the consequences of getting involved in sexting at a young age could be massive.

"Sexting can have a huge impact on a child's life," she said. "Once an explicit image is sent, the person in it loses control over where it will end up or who will see it.

"This could lead to shame, embarrassment and bullying for the young person.

"They could also be posted on the internet and still be around for years to come when they are applying for jobs or university, or starting relationships.

"We need to make children aware of the serious risks involved in sexting – and parents play a hugely important role in this by discussing the issue with them."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is backing Safer Internet Day as part of his pledge to bring hidden crimes out into the open.

Mr Jamieson said: "Crime is changing not falling and it is vital that we all educate ourselves when it comes to emerging offences such as cyber crime, abusive trolling and online fraud. We all must be aware of the dangers online and educate those around us, especially young people.

"I am committed to tackling online crime in all its forms – from hackers trying to crack into a business to groomers trying to lure in a child.

"To tackle these hidden crimes we must bring them out into the light."

Superintendent Nick Walton, from West Midlands Police, said the force always tried to encourage 'mutually agreeable punishments' in the first instance to prevent youngsters from going through the courts system. But he added: "Where such agreements cannot be achieved we will always set criminal proceedings into action."

Wolverhampton council has also backed Safer Internet Day. Councillor Val Gibson, the authority's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Young people when sending text messages should think carefully about the content of any messages and pictures.

"They should be aware that any messages can easily be forwarded and go viral, which can then make them become vulnerable and the subject of all sorts of bullying and abuse. It is good to see that Safer Internet Day is trying to raise awareness of these issues."

As part of the day a new social media campaign has been launched which encourages teenagers to think before posing something online which they may later regret.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley, from Warwickshire and West Mercia Police's specialist operations unit, said: "Sexting may be considered harmless fun by some young people but this could not be further from the truth.

"Once an image has been sent the sender has no control of where it ends up and who sees it. There can be huge ramifications, leaving people vulnerable to blackmail, bullying and harm, as well as the fact that children who are sexting may actually be committing criminal offences.

"Safer Internet Day is an excellent time to highlight the importance of staying safe online generally and for people to improve their knowledge and understanding of how to protect themselves in cyber space.

"Parents and carers can also play an important role in ensuring children are protected."

Last year Dudley Safeguarding Children Board launched an e-safety kit as part of Safer Internet Day.

Meanwhile, research by Kaspersky Lab has found that more than one in 10 youngsters aged 16 to 19 in the West Midlands knows someone who has engaged in computer activity that could be deemed illegal. A total of 11 per cent of the age group said they knew people who had taken part in illegal cyber activities.

The poll of 138 young people also found over a third, or 39 per cent, would be impressed if a friend hacked a bank's website and replaced the homepage with a cartoon, and worryingly one in 10, or 10 per cent, would be impressed if a friend hacked air traffic control systems of a local airport.

Principal security researcher for Kaspersky, David Emm, warned: "It's frighteningly easy for teenagers to find their way into the dark corners of the internet today.

"Specialist browsers required to gain access are freely available online and discussion groups used by cyber criminals are often open to outsiders."

Anyone who is concerned about a child, is encouraged to call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. For more information visit www.saferinternet.org.uk