Effects Of Sexting In Teens

Sexting in Michigan has become more common with the rise in camera phones and smartphones with Internet access, that can be used to send explicit photographs as well as messages. While sexting is done by people of all ages, most media coverage fixates on negative aspects of adolescent usage. Young adults use the medium of the text message much more than any other new media to transmit messages of a sexual nature, and teenagers who have unlimited text messaging plans are more likely to receive sexually explicit texts.

As a result of sexting being a relatively recent practice, ethics are still being established by both those who engage in it and those who create legislation based on this concept. Whether sexting is seen as a positive or negative experience typically rests on the basis of whether or not consent was given to share the images. Nevertheless, Australian laws currently view under-18s as being unable to give consent to sexting, even if they meet the legal age for sexual consent.

Sexting is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images, primarily between mobile phones, of oneself to others. It may also include the use of a computer or any digital device. The term was first popularized early in the 21st century and is a portmanteau of sex and texting, where the latter is meant in the wide sense of sending a text possibly with images. Sexting is often done as a joke, a way of getting attention, or as flirting. Parents should discuss the issue with their children to ensure they understand the risks and what to if or when they're pressured to participate.

While some states have laws that differentiate sexting from child pornography, others do not. Sexting could result in charges of distributing or possessing child pornography. Bullying, harassment, and humiliation are common problems when the photos and messages get shared beyond the intended recipient. There can be severe emotional and social consequences, including suicides of teens who had their photos shared

Half of teen girls cited pressure from teen boys as a reason to send explicit messages. The report found that peer pressure is also of concern since 23% of teen girls and 24% of teen boys said they were pressured by their friends to send or post explicit content.5

A nude photo of another teen is a trophy that a teen can use to brag to peers about the relationship. Teens might send a photo of themselves as a way of flirting with a potential partner or to get compliments from peers. Some may also send a photo as a joke or on a dare.

Couples may exchange photos as proof of commitment or as part of their romantic or sexual activity. Sexting photos of other teens can be done to bully or humiliate them. This might be done after a relationship ends, or the photos may also be taken unknowingly, such as in a bathroom or locker room. 

Start the conversation before your child has an incident. If you are giving your child a smartphone or webcam, that is the time to talk about sexting. You can also use news stories or plot lines in television shows or movies as a conversation starter. The best approach to talking about sexting is to take a non-judgmental and informational one.5 Keeping the dialogue open leaves room for your kids to talk with you rather than hiding things away. Also, be aware that kids may have a different name for sexting, so you'll need to be clear about the topic you are discussing.