Share

'Sexting' common among teens

Many teens send and receive sexually explicit photos on their cellphones and have little to no awareness of the possible mental health, social or legal consequences of doing so, a new study warns.

Researchers asked 606 students, some as young as 14, at a private high school in the southwestern United States about their experiences with "sexting" and the potential risks associated with being caught sexting.

Nearly 20% of the students said they had sent a sexually explicit image of themselves via cellphone, and nearly twice as many said they had received a sexually explicit picture. More than 25% of those who received a sexually explicit picture forwarded it to others.

What the study found

Of those who had sent a sexually explicit picture, more than one-third did so despite believing that they could face serious legal and other consequences if they were caught.

The study also found that students who sent a sexually explicit picture by cellphone were more likely than others to believe it was an acceptable activity.

The study was published online in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

"These results argue for educational efforts such as cellphone safety assemblies, awareness days, integration into class curriculum and teacher training, designed to raise awareness about the potential consequences of sexting among young people," wrote Donald Strassberg, of the University of Utah, and colleagues.

In many states, those who send or receive nude pictures of people under age 18 could face charges as serious as possession or distribution of child pornography. Penalties include being listed on a sex offender registry. The researchers also noted that people in sexually explicit photos may suffer serious mental health consequences.

Read more:
Sexting dos and don'ts

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics explains how to talk to children and teens about social media and sexting.


(Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE