On average police in the island deal with ’two or three’ sexting incidents in the island’s schools each week.

That is according to officers PC Paddy Moore and PC Mike Griffiths who work closely with all high schools including King William’s College.

PC Griffiths said that sexting, which can be sending explicit texts or images, is a ’generational problem’ and one which parents have to be prepared to deal with.

The two officers said that times have changed from when children could do something stupid and it be forgotten about the next week as so much is done now with camera phones and people recording themselves or others.

PC Moore said: ’It is a difficult age for students, they want to fit in, they want to be liked, but they like we all have in different ways, assumed that the bad thing will never happen to them.

’But we are being made aware of two or three sexting incidents a week in schools, from all year groups and most worryingly some incidents have even been from primary school age children who have learnt it by copying their older siblings.’

The most typical type of sexting that is shared is images, some of which are real, while others have been ’doctored’ to make it appear they are another person.

Both officers said that as parents, they are ’just as concerned’ as everyone else and said all parents have to recognise their role in stopping incidents of sextortion or revenge porn.

PC Griffiths said: ’A lot of parents have begun banning social media, which can leave children feeling isolated and disadvantaged, if they are educated and it is done safely, social media can be a great resource.

’And the telecoms companies are more than willing to held by censoring the internet or time limiting it in the house so there are many ways to help the situation.

’We understand the worries, we’re both parents. So feel free to check their phones if you want to, some may call it intrusive, but it’s good parenting, I would rather my kids are safe and annoyed than at risk and I not know what they’re up to.

’Young people will experiment, whether it is with alcohol or drugs or sex, so if we can educate them, then at least they can will be more prepared to make informed decisions and understand the consequences of their actions now just next week but next year and longer.’