Victim of 'camwhoring'

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_405997.html

A NATIONAL University of Singapore (NUS) undergrad has become the latest victim of an increasingly common trend: Teens and young adults who take pictures of themselves having sex or in other compromising poses, or allow others to do so.

Photographs of the undergrad having sex and in explicit poses have wound up on a United States-based website notorious for putting up pictures of naked or scantily clad women.

In this case, it is not known how the pictures were obtained, but word of them has spread quickly among Singaporeans, and online forums and blogs are now abuzz with references to them. The woman has made a police report, and the case is being investigated.

Counsellors and tech experts who spoke to The Straits Times say they are seeing many more youngsters taking such pictures these days. Those who do so are seeking cheap thrills, they say, and gadgets that make it much easier for them to live out their fantasies are now easily available.

But few realise that there is a high risk the photos or videos will end up being viewed by all and sundry, perhaps even halfway around the globe.

Counsellors say that as more people indulge in such behaviour, incidents such as those involving the undergrad will become more common.

The assistant director of the Asian Women's Welfare Association Family Service Centre, Mr Mani Joseph, said he sees about five young people who have taken such photos - some of whom have posted them online - each day. This was rare in the past, he said. 'Youth used to be shy. Now, they are bolder,' said Mr Joseph, who has counselled some who post topless photos of themselves online.

Dr Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services at the Singapore Children's Society, said the trend is so widespread now that it even has a name: 'camwhoring'.

She said she has had to counsel one teen every fortnight against such behaviour. Such acts were previously unheard of, she added.

Dr Balhetchet said the reason for such behaviour is that 'some youth are narcissistic and love looking at themselves. They are taking it a step further. 'Many don't realise how easily the material can leak out to the Internet.'

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talk about youths nowadays having exhibitionist streaks and being too carefree