BRINGING SEXTING TO THE BOOK IN CROATIA: STAYING ON THE FENCE OR EXPLORING A FLYING START?

Abstract

As one of the sexual behaviors of young people, sexting is increasingly being scientifically researched. Contemporary analyses clearly reveal young people are habitually using the Internet and social networks in the context of sexuality. These analyses are usually presented within a psychological aspect, and almost never with the context of criminal law. The aim of this paper is first to review the characteristics of sexting, focusing on its definitions, frequency, features, and determinants. We tackle a developmental perspective and potential negative consequences exploring the phenomena within the context of criminal law. Considering that the possibilities of criminal law development leading to sexting sanctioning have not yet been problematized, the second part of the paper pioneers the relationship between sexting and existing incriminations within the Croatian criminal law system, to answer the question of the sanctioning needs and possibilities. The insights provide the first criminal law perspective on sexting sanctioning in Croatia.