New Study Says Persistent Nature of Teens Toward Sexting Especially Dangerous

Teens have always experimented with sex, but researchers point out this experimentation is drastically different and more dangerous today.

Today, more teen boys are manipulating or pressuring girls into sharing sexual photos with their cell phone or online, and they’re passing these images on to others as forms of bullying and objectification of girls.

A recent study from the London School of Economics says girls as young as eleven years old are being coerced into sharing sexual images of themselves by boys, or to participate and take photos of sexual behaviors.

These images are then shared across multiple platforms, such as social media, email and sexting with a cell phone. It’s the persistent nature of the behavior, say researchers, that is particularly alarming.

The study, called "A Qualitative Study of Children, Young People and Sexting," says that more than 30 percent of teens under the age of 18 who use texting have gotten a sexual photo or message, or an email with sexual content.

Additionally, through focus group techniques, the researchers showed that many teen boys had numerous sexual images of fellow classmates or friends on their mobile phone – pointing to the reality that teens are distributing these photos with each other.

Researchers also point out that not only are girls getting multiple requests to participate in sexting, they’re receiving strong pressure from boys and can become victims of abuse or bullying. The bullying aspect can be fueled by the availability of numerous social networks where teens can threaten or emotionally abuse each other by simply typing and sharing a message.

Outcomes for teens involved in sexting include depression, serious self-esteem problems and levels of anxiety and trauma that can last for years, well into adulthood, say experts. In some states they can be prosecuted for child pornography charges.

Parents are urged to monitor their teen’s cell phone use carefully and to continue educating teens over and over about the dangers of sexting.