What is Sexting?

Sexting is the practice of sending or posting sexually suggestive text messages and images, including nude or semi-nude photographs, via cell phones, smartphone apps, or over the internet.

Sexting is best summarized as "the practice of sending or posting sexually suggestive text messages and images, including nude or semi-nude photographs via cellular telephones or over the Internet" (Barry, 2010, p. 129) Sexting can also take place over smartphone applications and social media.

It’s important to note that teens use the term “nudes” when referring to sexting and discussing it with their peers.

It’s important to note that teens use the term “nudes” when referring to sexting and discussing it with their peers. Additionally, studies have found that nudes are predominantly, but not exclusively, shared via the app Snapchat (Jorgensen, et al., 2019).

Those who participate in sexting see it as a way to have fun, address boredom, and engage in sexual experimentation. However, the same factors that make teenagers feel safe online also carry risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and sexual exploitation (Anderson (Jiang, 2018). Additionally, sexting has potential grave legal consequences that many teenagers may not understand.

References

1. Barry, J. L. (2010). The child as victim and perpetrator: Laws punishing juvenile sexting. Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, 13(1), 129-154. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/vanep13&i=131

2. Jørgensen, C. R., Weckesser, A., Turner, J., & Wade, A. (2019). Young people’s views on sexting education and support needs: Findings and recommendations from a UK-based study. Sex Education, 19(1), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2018.1475383

3. Anderson, M. & Jiang, J. (2018). Teens, social media & technology 2018 [PDF]. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/