Sexting amongst teenagers

Today in lab we got to explore topics of CMC that we wish we had not discussed during the semester. Topics ranged from Sex is such a large part of our culture revenge porn, Silk Road (an illegal website that delivered drugs to people’s doorsteps), older people and CMC and sexting. One topic that stood out to me was sexting . I have chosen to explore the topic of sexting amongst younger generations. Let me first start by defining sexting; sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs via cell phone or the internet. Whether one admits it or not, almost everyone has taken part in some form of sexting; this includes those little sexy pictures you send your mate before you go to bed, or those little freaky text about how much you miss getting it on with your partner.

 The latest Teens and Technology 2013 study from Pew research found that 78% of teens aged 12-17 now own a cellphone. Cell phones are the number one medium of sexting. In a literature review of sexting attitudes and risk factors done in Sydney they stated that one third of teenagers partake in sexting. In this study the wanted to understand why teenagers sext and the characteristics of those who partake in sexting. In their research of characteristics of those who sext they found a statistical correlations between sexting in teenagers/young adults and older adolescent, dating, being sexually active, sexual risk behaviors, substance use, lower parental educational, peers sexting, and greater texting frequency. Girls were more likely to be senders of sexually explicit pictures and boys were more likely to be receivers and to initiate sexting. Those who were sexually active were more likely to be both senders and receivers.  Two studies were also conducted that explored attitudes about sexting. They found that those who sent picture were more likely to consider sexting acceptable over. They also found that over one third of people who did not sext reported positive attitudes toward sexting.

 

Moreover, according to “The True Prevalence of “Sexting”” a literature review done by Katlin Lounsbury, Kimberly Mitchell and David Finkelhor, they found that 20% of teens, ages 13 to 19, including 18% of teen boys and 22% of teen girls had sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves on the internet or through cellphone. The majority of teens were reported to only have partaken in sexting with their mates. However, 15% of teens who sent sext did so with someone that they only knew online. One of the most commonly cited statistics from their report is the finding that approximately half of sexually active young people were involved in sexting. Many young people do not perceive sexting negatively.

Teens have apps where it is easy to sext, such as SnapChat, where they can post sexual pictures that last for a few seconds. Like sex, sexting can happen in different contexts. It can be experimental and consensual, or it can take a more dangerous twist when it is unsolicited, aggressive or vengeful. Then sexting becomes a bigger problem than just some naked pictures leaked, it becomes a crime.  Most young people don't know the legal ramifications associated with sexting. For instance, in Chicago there were 5 teens arrested for sexting and were being charged with the distribution of child pornography. The rate of teenagers with cellphones continues to rise and I'm sure the numbers of those who sext with also continue to escalate.