Surprising Number of Twitter Users Sending Sex Phrases or Words

Twitter has joined the ranks of social media tools used for sending sexted messages or photos, and is taking a higher rank than previously believed.

A recent survey suggests that as many as 33 percent of people who send messages on Twitter are also receiving or tweeting out messages with sex themes. At least one out of two of those who participated in the study are already adding Twitter to their tools for meeting possible dates, making the use of Twitter for sexy messages a believable occurrence.

While people may use Facebook to send sex-themed messages to people they haven’t met or only know online, around 66 percent of those responding about Twitter and sexting said they mostly sent the messages to those they already had in their networks. Some, however, did admit to using Twitter to send sexted messages to people with whom they’ve had no prior contact. This also includes sexting Tweets to rock stars and movie stars.

Twitter also differs from other social media tools for sexting in that the messages can be deliberately short and to the point with sexual words or phrases. Like Facebook and other platforms, experts believe people feel they are hiding their identity and may have a heightened sense of sexual confidence when sending sexted messages. They may also not realize the reality that sexted messages can remain online for years or permanently. In some cases, the messages can be used for cyberbullying.

Sexting among teens is a rapidly growing trend, with some research indicating that teens who sext have a higher likelihood of engaging in risky real-world sexual behaviors. Parents are encouraged to keep a close watch on teens’ smartphone behavior, and to continually talk about the risks and dangers of sexting. Among adults, sexting is increasingly listed as a factor in the loss of marriages and careers, as well as in increased chance for arranging real-life meetings with people that started out as a sexting relationship.