What is sexting?
Sexting is the exchange of sexually suggestive or nude images between minors via cell phone. For example, a girl might take a nude picture of herself and send it to her boyfriend. Her boyfriend may forward the picture to one or two friends, who then decide to forward the picture to others. In this way, the girl’s picture could travel between many phones and have countless viewers in a very short period of time.
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, “1 in 6 teens (ages 12-17) with a cell phone have received a sexually suggestive image or video of someone they know.” Please note that sexting does not include situations in which young people send sexually explicit images of themselves to adults. These adults are predators and the incident should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
Sexting consequences
Teens caught sexting may be charged with the production, distribution, and/or possession of child pornography—all federal crimes. They may have to face time in juvenile detention and/or placement on a state’s sex offender registry. However, many lawmakers agree that these are not appropriate punishments for the majority of teens caught sexting. Some states have modified their laws to address sexting behavior by adding consequences more appropriate for teens, such as classes and community service.
Teens who sext may also face severe social and academic consequences. Some have been removed from athletic teams and suspended from school for sexting. Others have been teased, humiliated, and harassed when their private pictures were forwarded around their schools and communities.
In addition to these immediate consequences, teens may also face trouble down the line. The photo may resurface during Google searches by college admissions officers, employers, friends, and significant others. The photo may also find its way into the hands of online sexual predators and be passed around for years after the teen has become an adult.
Understanding teens and sexting
When asked about why teens may sext, a group of high school students gave answers which ranged from “Well, I think some people are pressured into it by their boyfriends or girlfriends…” to “A lot of times I’ve seen it as a joke.” Teens may also sext as a way to explore the physical side of their relationships, to demonstrate love, or to fit in with friends. No matter the reason why they sext, it is important to help teens understand that if they press “send,” they will lose control over the picture forever.