SEXTING: Could It Impact Your Child?
A recent survey of a nationally representative sample of 653 teens, aged 13 to 19, and 627 young adults, aged 20 to 26, compiles information on ’sexting.’ 1 Sexting means sending or posting sexually suggestive electronic messages and images.
The survey reported that one in five teens and one in three young adults have sent or posted semi-nude or nude images of themselves in cyberspace. Half of the teens and young adults have sent or posted sexually suggestive messages. This trend is surprising since nearly 3/4 of teens and young adults acknowledged that sending such images and messages “can have serious negative consequences.” The most commonly listed negative consequences were regret (79%), potential embarrassment (73%), bad reputation (69%), and disappointing family (57%).
Although most survey participants agreed that sending sexual messages and images could have a negative social influence, could it also impact their behavior? A majority of teens and young adults thought that sexting would get attention from a guy/girl they liked. About 3/4 of such messages or pictures had been sent to a girlfriend or boyfriend; most recipients admitted they were “turned on” by such messages. About 40% of the respondents said that people who exchange sexual messages and images are more likely to date or hook up with each other in real life, and over a quarter of them said that dating or hooking up would be “expected” after sexting.
Sexting has already been associated with harassment, lawsuits, and at least one suicide.2 It may also increase the expectation of sexual activity.1 Considering the potential consequences of sexting and its prevalence amongst teens, parents should be prepared to talk to their kids about it. Parents should ask their kids if they or any of their friends engage in sexting and then use the discussion to communicate their expectations for cell phone and computer use. Parents should clearly communicate to their children that anything posted online is “out there” permanently. Parents should also monitor their children’s use of social networking sites, like MySpace or Facebook, by joining their child’s online network. By setting limits on the use of computers and cell phones and discussing the pitfalls of sexting, parents can help guide their children to safe and healthy decisions.
References:
1. National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Sex and tech: results from a survey of teens and young adults. Washington, D.C: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2008. Available at: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/PDF/SexTech_Summary.pdf. Accessed: 2009 May 26.
2. Hewitt B, Driscoll A. The dangers of ’sexting’. People March 30, 2009;71(12):111-2. Available at: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20271181,00.html. Accessed: 2009 May 27.
