Technology has forever changed the way that we communicate. Almost everyone young and old has a cell phone. The advent of cell phones has proved to be a life saving yet very dangerous mode of communication when used recklessly by teens that are engaging in the dangerous and disturb trend of “sexting.” So what is sexting? Sexting is using cell phones to send sexually explicit messages, images or videos to a boyfriend, girlfriend or to “cyber” flirt with someone with a “crush.”
According to a 2008 survey of 1,280 teens of both sexes on Cosmogirl.com sponsored by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 20% of teens (13-19) had sent nude or semi-nude photographs of themselves electronically. Additionally, 39% of teens and 59% of young adults had sent sexually explicit text messages.
Why are so many teens sexting? I conducted brief interview with teens ages (12- 18), and here are some of the reasons they indicated for sexting. Many teens think that it’s “fun,” “cute,” or “sexy” to send a “sext” message to their boyfriend of girlfriend. Privacy also plays a part of the appeal, but what many teens don’t realize is that the X-rated offerings that are usually intended just for a boyfriend or girlfriend, often wind up being shared with others. Some teens admitted to using sexting as a way to “cyber” flirt with someone that they are interested in or have a crush on. Some teens reported using sexting as a way to learn more about sex from their friends because they can’t talk to their parents, guardians or teachers about sex. Low self-esteem also played a huge role in sexting. Mostly teen girls admitted to sexting as a way to “feel love,” “be liked,” “fit in” and/or gain popularity among peers. And finally, so teens reported “getting off” sending and receiving explicit sexual message, images and videos.
Sexting has become so popular that even several television show such as: Good Morning America, The Tyra Banks Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Degrassi: The Next Generation, have all featured episodes on sexting. In addition, popular songs such “LOL Smiley Face” have glamorized sexting and even encouraging teen girls to engage in this behavior.
“Shorty just text me, says she want to sex me
LOL smiley face, LOL smiley face
Shorty sent a twitpic saying come and get this,
LOL smiley face, LOL smiley face
Go to my page and follow and if you got a body like a coke bottle, Shorty sent a twitpic saying come and get this,
LOL smiley face, LOL smiley face”
The glamorization of this dangerous combination of teens behaving provocatively and the accessibility to technology makes it extremely unsafe for a variety of reasons, even some which could prove to be deadly:
- Sext messages can be accidently sent to wrong cell phone number. In the wrong hands, these messages can be forwarded to other cell phones, posted on school computers or posted online on different social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, which now presents an even bigger issue.
- A jilted boyfriend or girlfriend can use for the “sext” message as blackmail.
- Character and/or reputation can be ruined based of negative judgment by others. Teens face humiliation, embarrassment, or name calling. Girls may be called a whore, slut, easy. Guys may be called jerk, etc.
- There’s potential for sexual harassment and/or stalking by other students and/or child predators. Child predators prey the vulnerability of teens and even encourage sexting, posting online profiles and communication via online chat rooms, which can result in a very dangerous even deadly situation.
- Sexually explicit messages, images and videos can follow you the rest of your life. Once the messages, images or videos are out there, you can’t take them back. Often time teens don’t think long-term and don’t realize that the choices theyake today can affect there future.
The consequences of sexting are so severe that there have been several legal cases and charges ranging from child pornography to felony obscenity and even prison time for teens or young adults that have been caught sexting. In at least one high-profile incident an 18-year-old Ohio woman committed suicide after a former boyfriend widely distributed a nude digital photo of her that she had sent him. Additionally, in some jurisdictions across the country, teens caught sexting may have to register as a sex offender.
The bottom line is that sexting/sending explicit or naughty pictures, words using your cell phone IS NOT seXy, cool or safe. Stick to Using your cell phone for making calls or sending teen “friendly” appropriate messages to your friends.
More resources on sexting. Click on links below.
Sexing Leads to Suicide
Dangers of Sexting
