School-based Prevention of the Abusive Dissemination of Sexually Explicit Images on the Internet: Development and Evaluation of the SPuR Program

Abstract

Sexting, defined as sending and receiving self-produced, sexually explicit images, is a widespread phenomenon among adolescents, which can have negative consequences, especially if an abusive dissemination occurs. In this study, a program on the prevention of the abusive distribution of sexually explicit images was developed and implemented for grades 6 and 7.The programwas evaluated using a pre-, post- and follow-up design. Students’ program satisfaction, students’ attitudes towards privacy on the internet and sexting, their knowledge about sexting and image rights, and their strategies handling sexting were measured. The results of the evaluation show that the adolescents (N = 132; 58.3 % female; Mage = 12.1 years, SD = 0.64) were satisfied with the program.There was a significant increase in knowledge. Furthermore, the results indicate an increase of strategies to cope with an unintentional distribution of a picture and strategies for a responsible use of sexting. Attitudes toward sexting were somewhat less critical after program participation. In addition to the successful implementation of the program in the school context, the results indicate that the program is effective.