A widely shared video depicting a toddler crying while a couple has sex in the background has been labelled “horrific” and “unacceptable” by two family charities.

The recording is one of many inappropriate clips that have been circulating around the island, some of which police have classified as child pornography, as they feature individuals believed to be below the age of consent.

Kelly Hunt from the Coalition for the Protection of Children said that the sharing of explicit videos could prove “devastating physically, socially and psychologically” to the people portrayed in them.

She added that viewers may also become desensitised to such material and therefore seek out more severe extremes as part of a “corrosive” cycle.

“We should view these implications as a pending threat to the safety of our young people,” said Ms Hunt, director of child and adolescent services at the charity.

Sheelagh Cooper, chairman of the Coalition, called the video featuring the crying youngster “a clear case of child abuse and neglect”.

“This is just horrific to watch,” she said. “How can one justify doing that in front of a child, much less sharing it, is beyond me.

“The question must be asked what is missing in the lives of young people who are drawn to this sort of dangerous exhibitionism.

“There’s a great deal of work to be done to address the myriad of issues that this raises.”

Martha Dismont, executive director of community charity Family Centre, said she was “flabbergasted” by the video and its implications.

“We, as a community, are not putting our foot down to say this is totally unacceptable,” she said.

“There’s an accountability issue. We don’t hold people to a higher standard. It’s a major problem that we have to nip in the bud before it expands.”

Sandy De Silva, director of services at Family Centre, added that staff at the charity had been alerted to various disturbing videos in recent weeks.

“We have seen a number of them and we’re very concerned about the behaviours exhibited,” she said. “These adults are exposing themselves in such vulnerable ways. They’re putting themselves and each other at risk, and even more importantly they’re disregarding who they’re trampling over, which is children.”

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) warned that anybody forwarding images of underage children would be subject to prosecution.

To assist the BPS with its investigation, call 247-1086 or e-mail mclarke@bps.bm. Those wishing to help while retaining their anonymity can call the Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 or visit www.cybertips.bm. For details on protecting young people online, visit www.startstrongteens.org or www.staysafeonline.org