Written by Amy Russell, MSW Student Intern with Real Life. Real Talk.

So why is sexting popular among teens in the first place?  First, not all teens are sending, receiving, or forwarding sexts; only about 4 percent of 12 to 17 year olds have sent a sext and 15 percent have received a sext.  According to a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, sexting is influenced by age (for instance, older teens are more likely to sext), unlimited texting plans, and whether or not teens pay for their own cell phones.  Research shows that sexting provides another avenue for teens to be sexual with another person (often someone they say they trust), as technology and access to it changes.  It has also been used as a form of relationship currency, flirtation, entertainment, or a tool for revenge. 

 Teen attitudes toward sexting vary.  When we asked local high schoolers to move to different areas in the room depending on if they agreed, disagreed, or were unsure about the statement, “It’s okay to sext,” most students chose the unsure category.  As we talked about why they made their choices, it was clear that the practice of sexting has a lot of gray area. 

 Consistent with the findings of the recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the teens identified that sexting is most likely to occur between two romantic partners who feel they trust each other.  However, sexts are sometimes then shared outside that relationship, or they may occur between teens who are not in a relationship but in which at least one person would like to be (as in the case of Ally who sent her ex-boyfriend a naked picture of herself, at his request, in order to get back together with him—shown in an MTV news special).

 Although sexting appears to be part of the evolution of teen sexuality mixed with advancing technology, this combination has other outcomes to be cognizant of.  In addition to noting that some students have already experienced problems connected to sexting, the high schoolers said that sexting could also result in gossip or rumors, damage to one’s reputation, harassment, emotional turmoil—and on the most extreme end—legal recourse. 

 Over the last few years, sexting among teens has gained national news attention because some minors have been prosecuted under existing child pornography laws.  Although these laws (which vary by state), were created before sexting arose, a minority of teenagers are nonetheless charged for creating, distributing, or being in possession of nude or partially nude images of themselves or other teens.  (For more information about state legislative responses to revise the laws around sexting see the In The News section below).

 Interestingly, when Lauren and I asked these high school students to decide how they would handle a sexting scenario in which they received a sext that was spreading through their school, most said they wouldn’t do anything beyond deleting the image.  The teens explained that most would choose not to get involved because it is “none of their business,” and they wouldn’t want to get themselves or others in trouble.  However, some students said they might offer support to the person in the sext (if they knew them and were friends), and a few said they might talk to those distributing the sext.  This exercise was intended to help the teens think critically before they sext and about how they can respond to sexting situations, especially as empathetic bystanders. 

 Like any sexuality topic, parents can get involved in a variety of ways.  Urbane Perspective suggests talking to your tweens or teens early on about sexting, before you think they are exposed to sexting or when they start using cell phones and text messaging.  The media coverage of sexting in recent years may also provide teachable moments to open up conversations that explore how your teens feel about sexting and some of the potential outcomes while allowing you to share your thoughts.  Dr. Richard Chalfen also says that, “Parents need to exert caution and care when trying to protect their children from being a participant (willing or unwilling) in sexting.  Because many parents rely on their children having cell phones to keep in touch about locations, plans, and needs, it may be far more troublesome to ban cell phones than to keep an open dialogue about concerns.”  A plethora of information is now available to parents, caregivers, and those that work with youth to be better informed about teens and sexting and help foster this dialogue.

 For additional information, we suggest visiting:

 Calvert, C. & Richards, R. (2009). When sex and cell phones collide: Inside the prosecution of a teen sexting case. Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal. Retrieved from: http://legalbadass.com/articles/AlpertArticle.pdf

 Center on Media and Child Health. (2009, April). Perspective on sexting: Teen culture, photo sharing behavior, and reactions and responses. Retrieved from: http://cmch.typepad.com/cmch/2009/04/perspectives-on-sexting-part-i.html

 Hardy Girls Healthy Women. (2010, March). Stupid is as Stupid Does: Sexting & Our Sexualized Media Culture. Retrieved from: http://hghw.blogspot.com/2010/03/stupid-is-as-stupid-does.html

 MTV News Special. (2009). Sexting in America: When Privates Go Public. Retrieved from: http://www.athinline.org

 National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy and CosmoGirl. (2009). Sex and tech: What’s really going on?” Retrieved from http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/

 National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline. (2010). Love is Respect Resource for Healthy Relationships. Retrieved from http://www.loveisrespect.org/

 Urbane Perspective. (2010). How to talk to your teen about sexting: Retrieved from: http://www.urbaneperspectivemag.com/2010/01/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-sexting

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