Children as young as six are SEXTING each other, shocking police figures reveal

According to Express.co.uk, CHILDREN as young as six have been questioned by police over sexting, according to shocking new figures. 

More than 1,000 youngsters under the age of 18 have been investigated for sending nude or explicit images of themselves on social media or messaging services since 2012.

A quarter of those arrested were under the age of 13.

The figures suggest a dramatic rise in sexting among children, which has become a craze since the launch of mobile phone apps such as Snapchat. 

Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed the number of investigations into under-18s making, possessing or distributing indecent images rose from 150 three years ago to 742 in the past year. 

The worrying figures come after the National Crime Agency (NCA) launched a campaign in June, revealing it received on average one report a day of a child protection issue linked to sexting. 

Children's charity the NSPCC said: "We don't want to see children criminalised. But while many of them may see sexting as harmless fun it is illegal and can leave young people vulnerable to blackmail and bullying, or attract the attention of sex offenders as the images may get shared online."

The charity has previously said its ChildLine service provided 1,300 counselling sessions last year for young people worried about sexting.

A 14-year-old boy claimed said he had been added to a police database for sending a naked picture of himself to a female classmate. 

The boy's mother said the incident had been recorded as a crime, even though he was not arrested or charged.