Sexting: What It Is and How to Sext Safely

Sexting is the practice of sending and receiving sexually explicit images, videos, and messages through digital platforms. In today’s world smartphones are used for easy communication and expression of emotions. Teens also tend to use digital media for sexual expression such as sexting. Sexting creates vulnerability as once a photo goes out it is accessible to anyone and can’t be entirely vanished. When used by adults it is an expression of healthy intimacy. However, in the hands of young men and women, it is risky.

What is sexting?

It refers to the process of creating and sending sexual content through texts and social media platforms. Though It is not a crime when done with agreement by adults, it is a risky behavior with adverse consequences like bullying and blackmailing for adolescents. It is often not a problem when done responsibly by adults. It becomes a dangerous two-edged weapon in the hands of reckless and curious teens.

With the rise of the digital age, younger generations are getting exposed to unnecessary and dangerous technology. The Pew Research Center suggests that 88% of teens have smartphones and 90% of these teens send and receive around 30 texts. Such prevalence is a marker of how it is on the rise.

Causes of sexting

Wide accessibility to easier communication through smartphones has increased the incidence of sexting in adolescents. Adolescence is a crucial and critical period with a plethora of questions, curiosity, and anxiety. In this stage, teens may fall prey to peer pressure and curiosity and unintentionally start it.

Some major reasons or causes of sexting are as follows:

Curiosity: Adolescence is a period during which children’s bodies are changing. These changing bodies lead to curiosity about bodies. This general curiosity about sexuality can lead to sexting. However, this may come at a huge price as a study published by the Journal of Pediatrics states that children actively engaging in it are at a high risk of becoming sexually active the following year.
Peer pressure: Sense of belonging and peer acceptance is important for adolescents. They want to do what their friends are doing. The idea of being alone frightens them and thus they may act against their better judgment.
Obliviousness: Living in the moment is the life mantra for teenagers. They refuse to look beyond the present and engage in activities like sexting. However, they can’t entirely be blamed for their recklessness. Scientific research has shown that the prefrontal cortex (part of the brain responsible for problem-solving, weighing options, and impulse control) is not fully developed until the mid-20s.

Dangers and consequences of sexting

Sexy chat in text done by adults above the age of 18 consensually can be a means of intimacy. However when it is done by minors(below 18) whether with or without consent, it is an offense with serious legal consequences.

Minors engaging in sexting recklessly either to experiment, accidentally, or willingly without knowing it can have precarious consequences.

It irresponsibly can impact their mental health, relationships as well as future.

Mental Health: The exchange of sexually explicit messages and pictures of oneself can cause emotional distress. Once a picture goes out it can’t be taken back, stopped from sharing, and destroyed completely. The explicit pictures can be a source of bullying, blackmailing, and distorted reputation. It can also lead to psychopathology like anxiety and depression. Research findings suggest that it behaviors make an individual prone to suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, and feelings of sadness.
Relationships: Minors these days get into relationships early and unknowingly do anything and everything to fit in with their peers. They don’t realize in these early years that it can impact their future relationships.
Legal consequences: It is illegal for individuals below 18 to engage in any sexting activity. It is termed child pornography and the individual sending, receiving, sharing, possessing, or even taking the explicit picture of a minor has to face legal consequences. Even children themselves willingly engaging and consensually sexting have to face serious repercussions.

Thus, It at an early age might seem like a little mistake or adventure but in the upcoming years, the weight of your actions will weigh on your shoulders.

Strategies to safeguard

Parents can play a crucial role during adolescence in their child’s life. They can be their friends, mentors and role models. As most minors tend to get into it during this age, the following steps can be taken by guardians to safeguard the children:

Literate them about sexting: Once the child reaches a suitable age talk to them openly about it. Make them aware how they can unintentionally or intentionally become a part of it. Let them know about the serious implications and legal consequences of sexting. This will help them develop an understanding on how it is wrong for them.
Stray away from providing digital gadgets at an early age: Digital gadgets like smartphones are the major source and platforms for it. Providing a child a dangerous toy like a smartphone can impact their future.
Teach digital literacy: Teaching your children about the evils of the internet and digital media is a necessity. Their unawareness can lead them to an unsafe path.
Pay close attention: During adolescence years children tend to hide things from their parents and guardians. They don’t confide in them and follow their peers. Parents should pay close attention to their child’s behavior and look for signs such as spending too much time on smartphones, avoiding direct confrontations, etc.

Along with these parents should be their child’s friend and talk about peer pressure, bullying, and other things impacting their child.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, while in younger years sexting may seem tempting, it has serious consequences. For growing teens with developing cognitive skills, It is a dangerous thing. It has emotional and legal consequences. Bullying, blackmailing, and damage to reputation are immediate outcomes. Parents and guardians can help deal with sexting with proper education, fostering an environment of trust, and teaching about healthy relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What are the dangers of sexting?
Answer: Some risks of sexting are once you send a text or image you can’t unsend it. The sent image can be used to blackmail and bully. In the long term, it can impact emotional and mental health.

Question: Is sexting illegal?
Answer: Sexting when done by minors is illegal. It can be legal or illegal depending on consent between adults.

Question: Why do teenagers sext?
Answer: Teenagers often sext out of curiosity, peer pressure and as an experiment. This is the age where their bodies are changing and they are in general curious and reckless.

Question: What do I do when someone pressures me to sext?
Answer: Set clear boundaries in relationships and maintain distance from individuals forcing you to indulge in unethical practices.

Question: How can parents protect their children from sexting?
Answer: Parents can play a pivotal role in the children’s access to sexting mediums. They shall pay close attention to their children’s behavior and smartphone activities . Talking to them early and teaching the right way to use internet and social media is also necessary.

References:
https://www.webwise.ie/parents/teens-sexting/
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-05-18/5-reasons-teens-sext
https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/sexting/learn-about-sexting/
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-sexting-22345
https://centerstone.org/teen/media/sexting/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9913953/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6650829/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-guide-your-children-through-the-minefield-of-sexting
https://www.webmd.com/sex/what-is-sexting