Is Teen Sexting a Problem?

If you think “my teen would never sext,” you might be mistaken, said CNN. In an article written by Kelly Wallace in early 2015, she discusses the rise of sexting case and some of the problems that come with it. The beginning of this article states that teens all around and in different types of social groups do this. Not just the ones who act in “high risk” behaviors, such as drinking, drugs, and sex. Studies in the United States suggest that sexting is more common that the average person thinks. In an anonymous survey taken at Drexel University by the Journal of Sexuality Research and Social Policy, over half of the undergraduate student participated in a form of sexting as a teenager or young adult. An average of thirty percent said, they sent nude photos in the very sext messages they have sent. Nude pictures are just part of the rising problem. Sexting and nude photographs are a type of child pornography. An increasing sixty one percent said they did not understand that sending nude pictures while sexting was child pornography. A study done by the Medical Branch at University of Texas at Galveston, said those who admitted to sexting were at a thirty-two percent more likely chance to report having sexual intercourse within a year of the first sexting. These teen who participated in sexting were less likely to have multiple sexual partners, use types of drugs and drink alcohol during or before sexual acts, and young teen girls to avoid getting and taking birth controls, such as the pill and depo. These are very intense behavior that can be caused by peer pressures. Many men and women are pressured into doing these sexual acts like sexting.

This article touches on a second main problem that comes with teen sexting, such a cyberbullying and plan regular bullying. Is sexting the newest form of adolescent sexual behavior, the studies ask. Elizabeth Englander a professor of psychology at Bridgewater State University has done many studies saying "There are now a few pieces of research, which are sort of converging on the same finding, namely that this is not a rare behavior." Sexting is becoming so what of a normal thing for young teens and young adults. Englander recently wrote “Bullying and Cyberbullying” a book where she spent her time researching later stated in her book, "I'm not saying that it's healthy or that it's harmless, but it's not a situation where kids who are depressed are doing this or kids who have very bad self-esteem are doing it." Diana Graber another researcher on the studies of cybercivics said when she asked a group of eighth graders in California if they were familiar with sexting a majority said they did. Most of the kids did not know of the consequences that can occur. Diana Graber a researcher had taken a survey on her site CyberWise.com. Her survey again showed that many of the kids who knew about sexting might be doing it as well. With this Graber said, "I mean that was a complete surprise to literally all 28 kids, so it occurred to me that no one's ever bothered to tell these kids they couldn't do that." In the article it shows that not all teens are being educated about sexting. Graber had taken time out of her day to stay back at the school and educate teens and parents on what sexting is and how it occurs.

This article gave a lot of information about the behavior of sexting. There are many things to be learned when it comes to sexting. I learned that not everyone in the United States and possibly around the world are able to have a teacher who can show them the ins and outs of sexting. Englander said "Your kids can go into these things knowing absolutely nothing, having no idea of what you think is right or wrong, having no idea of the facts or you can talk to them about it. Those are the only two choices." It teaches you that people of all ages at one time or another in this day of age. Sexting is something that happens everyday. Assuming that you will never come across this sexual behavior. This information is important in showing people that it takes knowledge to teach these kids what sexting is and the consequences. Parent should take the time to teach their teens what sexting is and why to avoid the sexual behaviors of sexting.

Title of article: Chances are, your teen has sexted

Name of publication:CNN by Kelly Wallace

Date of publication: January 2, 2015

To do some research of your own try visiting:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/18/living/teens-sexting-what-parents-can-do/