In November of 2017, three senators introduced the ENOUGH Act. ENOUGH stands for Ending Nonconsenual Online User Graphic Harassment. This refers to a common form of online abuse: posting personal, inappropriate photos and/or videos of another person without their consent. Often, the images were first willingly sent and received in the context of an intimate relationship. The slang term for this is “revenge porn.” Due to the ENOUGH act, revenge porn has been in the news lately. But what do you and your teens need to know?
How Often Does Revenge Porn Happen? According to a study performed by the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, 1 in 8 social media users have been targets of revenge porn. In addition, 15.8 percent of women and 9.3 percent of men have either been threatened or victimized by revenge porn.
Who Is Most Often Targeted By Revenge Porn? Revenge porn can happen in any age group. However, young people in particular are most susceptible. A report from Datasociety.net states that young people ages 15-29 are most likely to be threatened by it.
Where Is Revenge Porn Posted? Users often post revenge porn on social media sites. Frequently used sites include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. Some pornography websites solely distribute this illicit content.
What Can Be Done About Revenge Porn? Thankfully, the public and legislators alike have become aware of this trend. Furthermore, they’re taking steps to help victims find justice. Thirty-eight states and Washington D.C. have criminalized non-consensual pornography. Also, many schools teach students the dangers of sexting, sending inappropriate images and cyberbullying. In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker introduced a bill to catch the law up with changes in digital communications. In particular, Governor Baker’s bill requires schools to teach students in age-appropriate ways about the dangers of sexting and sending inappropriate images. Many schools use key-capturing software as well. These programs alert administrators to inappropriate language and images in ways content filters can’t.
It’s vitally important for parents and school administrators to talk to and educate students about the dangers of non-consensual pornography and sexting. If teens have already become victims, parents and administrators can lead them to professionals who can help them cope. Also, trained school counselors and administrators can also help victims find ways to remove the inappropriate content from the internet. It may feel awkward to warn teens about revenge porn, but it could save them from trauma and pain.
Text by Amber Pope
