An explicit pic I sent aged 13 wrecked my life.... we must save today's teens from Suffering the same ordeal

Campaigner's battle to use tech to protect kids

- BY DAVE BURKE

A WOMAN who was blackmailed after being pressured to send an explicit photo when she was just 13 has pleaded for software to protect kids to be compulsory on mobile phones.

Roxy Longworth almost didn't survive her teenage years as her mental health spiralled after the image was shared around her school.

Her friends shunned her, she suffered horrendous abuse and blamed herself, despite the coercion that led to her sending it.

Roxy was put on suicide watch after the guilt and shame she felt led her to start self-harming.

A decade later, she warns many more young people are going through the same ordeal.

She called on the government to force phone manufacturers to roll out tech that prevents children from taking, sharing and receiving explicit photos. Such software is available, but there is no legal requirement for it to be installed on kids' devices.

Roxy, 23, said: "I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones because I'm still alive.

"My mum reminds me often that it was very touch and go. I survived it, but lots of people don't.