Shawn Taylor, 17, appeared in the Dunedin District Court for sentencing.
A 13-year-old girl has been forced to leave school after a video of her performing a sex act on an older teen spread, a court has heard.
In the footage, Shawn Michael Taylor, 17, of Milton, notices his friend recording with his cellphone.
''The defendant turned towards the camera while the victim was performing oral sex, smiled, raised his arm and gave the thumbs up,'' a police summary said.
Counsel Andrew Dawson yesterday called the gesture ''regrettable''.
Taylor appeared in the Dunedin District Court after pleading guilty to sexual connection with a young person.