Skip to main content
Start of main content.

The Bingle Dispute - A Timely Reminder for Sexting Teenagers

The suggestion that footballer Brendan Fevola has captured and shared a nude image of model Lara Bingle has gained massive media attention. However, the alleged set of facts is not uncommon. Sexting – the electronic communication of non-professional images or videos portraying one or more persons in a state of nudity or otherwise in a sexual manner – is a common teenage phenomenon according to studies both in Australia and overseas.


“The problem is that it is unclear how the law regulates this type of activities. This uncertainty is unhealthy for both victims and alleged offenders” says Dr Dan Svantesson, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Bond University.
 

“Where people communicate nude images, whether it is of themselves or of someone else, several areas of law may be relevant, including defamation, privacy, breach of confidence and even copyright.”
 

“Even more seriously, if the person in the picture is underage, the sender may be exposed to prosecution for child pornography offenses.”
 

“Sometimes, the victim and the offender is the same person. In the US, there have been several cases where teenage girls have been accused of involvement in child pornography when sending nude pictures of themselves to their boyfriends. As it stands, it seems the same thing could happen in Australia.”
 

More from Bond

  • Unseen chains: Why Gold Coast businesses need to know about modern slavery

    Modern slavery has surged by 10 million in the past decade, now ensnaring 50 million people globally. How is it relevant to life on the Gold Coast?

    Read article
  • Envy an industry that's cashing in

    Do you know envy is the single most powerful trigger for making purchases?

    Read article
  • Injury blow to skipper ahead of QFA finals

    AFL preview: Matthew Smith ruled out with a hand injury and some big names rested in the QAFLW.

    Read article
  • Bond at the Olympics: Andrew Utting

    We have been celebrating Bond's proud Olympic history in the lead-up to the Paris games. In the final edition we profile 2004 Olympian Andrew Utting.

    Read article
  • Makeshift Bull Sharks side out to tame Tigers.

    Rugby preview: Wallaroo Eva Karpani headlines a list of eight big names who will miss the match against Easts.

    Read article
Previous Next