- Alarm bells as teen girls become 'billboards'
- News Dot Com
- 14/10/2008 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 264 articles in 2008 )
IT'S the sunbathing stunt that's leaving an impression on young girls' backs - and on child protection authorities, who say the youngsters are "asking for trouble".
Last week, bikini-clad girls aged just 14 and 15 were photographed lying on Manly Beach in New South Wales with their mobile phone numbers printed on their backs in blue zinc cream.
The group, who had travelled from western Sydney for the day, said they wanted to meet boys and were hoping the unorthodox strategy would encourage them to make contact.
A 15-year-old, identified only as Samantha, told The Manly Daily that she was happy to attract attention - despite not having any intention of following up on it.
"We come for both the beach and the boys, but I'm taken, so it's all good," she said.
"I got a message and it said, 'Your friends are hot' - but what about me?"
Her friend Lizzy, 15, admitted the stunt had already netted at least one unwanted advance: "An old guy tried to talk to me. He was trying to take pictures of us," she said.
Those comments alarmed child protection experts yesterday, who cautioned other teens against following the girls' lead.
The scenes, which were seen at Cronulla last week, had dangerous implications for teens, according to Girlforce author Nikki Goldstein.
"We'd never advise girls to broadcast their phone number anywhere that could make them a target," she said.
"They're in their bikinis, objectifying themselves is a bit trashy."
Psychologist Kirrilee Smout said while the girls' actions might have been fuelled by bravado, their immaturity could lead them to lose control of the situation.
Last week, bikini-clad girls aged just 14 and 15 were photographed lying on Manly Beach in New South Wales with their mobile phone numbers printed on their backs in blue zinc cream.
The group, who had travelled from western Sydney for the day, said they wanted to meet boys and were hoping the unorthodox strategy would encourage them to make contact.
A 15-year-old, identified only as Samantha, told The Manly Daily that she was happy to attract attention - despite not having any intention of following up on it.
"We come for both the beach and the boys, but I'm taken, so it's all good," she said.
"I got a message and it said, 'Your friends are hot' - but what about me?"
Her friend Lizzy, 15, admitted the stunt had already netted at least one unwanted advance: "An old guy tried to talk to me. He was trying to take pictures of us," she said.
Those comments alarmed child protection experts yesterday, who cautioned other teens against following the girls' lead.
The scenes, which were seen at Cronulla last week, had dangerous implications for teens, according to Girlforce author Nikki Goldstein.
"We'd never advise girls to broadcast their phone number anywhere that could make them a target," she said.
"They're in their bikinis, objectifying themselves is a bit trashy."
Psychologist Kirrilee Smout said while the girls' actions might have been fuelled by bravado, their immaturity could lead them to lose control of the situation.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24492996-1242,00.html
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