Richard Lucas criticises Vicky Allan for distinguishing just two stances about "sexting":

either it is foolish or it is acceptable (Young people need moral guides, Letters, October 19). This ignores, he suggests, "the possibility that distributing self-pornography could be immoral".

The general distinction between what is foolish and what is immoral is, indeed, a sound one, since something can be foolish without being immoral and vice versa. However, his claim that "sexting" is immoral is not supported by reference to the "negative consequences" he says follows from it - "embarrassment, vindictive publication and emotional damage" - for these all seem reasons for deeming it foolish, not immoral.

Paul Brownsey

Retired lecturer in philosophy

Glasgow University