Imagine this scenario: your child or student is chatting with friends on their phone. They might be scrolling through social media posts. Suddenly, their phone buzzes with a message from their school crush. “Hey bb,” it reads. “Send me some nudes? ;)”
How prevalent is sexting?
Requests of this type are not only happening more frequently but are also being responded to more often. The number of youths ‘sexting’ or sending and receiving ‘nudes’ is growing. In 2018, the Journal of the American Medical Association for Pediatrics (JAMA Pediatrics) reviewed 39 academic studies and a meta-analysisMadigan S, Ly A, Rash CL, Van Ouytsel J, Temple JR. Prevalence of Multiple Forms of Sexting Behavior Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(4):327–335. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314Copy on the issue of youth sexting. The results showed that, on average, nearly 15% of minors were sending sexts, while over 25% were receiving them.Madigan S, Ly A, Rash CL, Van Ouytsel J, Temple JR. Prevalence of Multiple Forms of Sexting Behavior Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(4):327–335. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314Copy That’s nearly 1 in 6 who are sending sexts and over 1 in 4 receiving them.
When it comes to nonconsensual sexting, over 8% of minors had their nudes forwarded and shared without their consent, and 12% admitted to forwarding them without asking for consent. Researchers noted that due to limitations in their sampling methods and in the research itself, these figures are likely underestimating the true numbers among youth; what we do know is that the number of individuals sexting is growing, likely underpinned by an increase in smartphone access and that they continue to grow as young people get older. Madigan S, Ly A, Rash CL, Van Ouytsel J, Temple JR. Prevalence of Multiple Forms of Sexting Behavior Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(4):327–335. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314Copy
This trend maps with other research. Thorn, a leading organization advocating against the sexual exploitation of children, revealed in its 2020 report on Youth Attitudes and Experiences that sexting is becoming viewed as a “normal” activity among peers.Self-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: Youth Attitudes and Experiences in 2020 Findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9-17 year olds Research conducted by Thorn in partnership with Benenson Strategy Group. (2021).Copy Among 13-17-year-olds, they found that 34% agreed it was normal for kids to share their own nudes. Among those ages 9-12, 21% also agreed sexting was normal; that’s an increase of over 60% from the previous year.Self-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: Youth Attitudes and Experiences in 2020 Findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9-17 year olds Research conducted by Thorn in partnership with Benenson Strategy Group. (2021). Copy
Is youth sexting a problem?
So…is the increasing prevalence of sexting among minors a cause for concern? The research unanimously concludes: yes.
The problematic impacts of youth sexting can be categorized into two main areas: increased associated risks and potential legal implications. Pampati S, Lowry R, Moreno MA, Rasberry CN, Steiner RJ. Having a Sexual Photo Shared Without Permission and Associated Health Risks: A Snapshot of Nonconsensual Sexting. JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(6):618–619. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0028Copy
Increased associated risks of sending nudes
Current literature on youth sexting shows that sexting is a predictor of sexual behaviors, including having multiple sexual partners, lack of contraception use, delinquent behavior, internalizing problems, and substance use.Mori C, Temple JR, Browne D, Madigan S. Association of Sexting With Sexual Behaviors and Mental Health Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2019;173(8):770–779. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1658Copy It is also associated with “other health outcomes and risky behaviors.”Madigan S, Ly A, Rash CL, Van Ouytsel J, Temple JR. Prevalence of Multiple Forms of Sexting Behavior Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(4):327–335. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314Copy This can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that “coercion plays a critical role (in youth sexting), exponentially increasing the risk to the victim.”Self-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: Youth Attitudes and Experiences in 2020 Findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9-17 year olds Research conducted by Thorn in partnership with Benenson Strategy Group. (2021). Copy That is, peer pressure by friends or schoolmates can lead kids to send sexually explicit content of themselves or share it with others.
What are some of the other increased risk outcomes? Especially in nonconsensual cases, sexting can lead to an increased risk of “harassment by peers, cyberbullying, or blackmailing.”Madigan S, Ly A, Rash CL, Van Ouytsel J, Temple JR. Prevalence of Multiple Forms of Sexting Behavior Among Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(4):327–335. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5314Copy This is no minor issue; in a 2017 survey published in JAMA Pediatrics, results from four large school districts showed that indicators for interpersonal violence, mental health, and suicidality were “significantly associated with having a sexual photo shared without permission.” Doyle, C., Douglas, E., & O’Reilly, G. (2021). The outcomes of sexting for children and adolescents: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Adolescence, 92, 86–113.Copy
More generally, research has found it can “unintentionally isolate young people”Self-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: Youth Attitudes and Experiences in 2020 Findings from 2020 quantitative research among 9-17 year olds Research conducted by Thorn in partnership with Benenson Strategy Group. (2021).Copy and can entail “emotional distress and reputational damage.”Doyle, C., Douglas, E., & O’Reilly, G. (2021). The outcomes of sexting for children and adolescents: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Adolescence, 92, 86–113.Copy Stories like that of Serena, who dealt with substance abuse, suicide attempts, and other hardships as a result of sharing nudes when she was 14, highlight the extreme impact sexting can have.
Potential legal implications
Youth sexting can not only hurt individuals’ health but also foster other risky sexual behaviors. In fact, youth can face some weighty legal implications by just clicking “send.”
By law, “revenge porn” laws state that it is a criminal offense to share intimate images of a person without the person’s consent. This becomes even more serious when we consider content featuring minors. It is considered a federal offense to “produce, distribute, import, receive, or possess” CSEM (Child Sexual Explicit Material), commonly referred to as child pornography. This includes “any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (persons less than 18 years old).”Child Pornography. (2015, May 26). Www.justice.gov.Copy
Now consider all of the kids and teens participating in sexting. This issue quickly becomes problematic. These laws are designed to penalize adults who take advantage of minors. However, minors are essentially normalizing the creation and distribution of CSEM. They may also be liable for it.
What can be done?
Parents, policymakers, and school administrators need to stay informed. The increasing trend in youth sexting may be affecting students’ health and overall well-being. Students are increasingly consuming and sending pornography at school. Due to the negative impacts, both legally and behaviorally, it is important to stay informed. We must be able to respond to these potential challenges.
Education surrounding the impacts of sexting and pornography is crucial in informing youth on the serious implications of sending, receiving, and sharing “nudes.” As sexting becomes increasingly normalized and even often expected, youth need to be made aware of the dangers. Fight the New Drug’s presentation program is designed for students, parents, and educators. It aims to spark a healthy conversation about the realities of pornography and the dangers of sexting.
Book a youth presentation at your school
Research suggests that school staff and administrators see pornography as a serious issue that affects their school’s cultural climate surrounding sexual violence and that education programs on porn help them feel more confident in addressing the issue and preventing sexual harassment.Maas, M. K., Gal, T., Cary, K. M., & Greer, K. (2022). Popular culture and pornography education to improve the efficacy of secondary school staff response to student sexual harassment., 1-23. doi:10.1080/15546128.2022.2076757Copy
Fight the New Drug’s age-appropriate and engaging presentations highlight research from respected academic institutions that demonstrates the significant impacts of porn consumption on individuals, relationships, and society. We take a three-dimensional approach to raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography in society, so in addition to creating tools and resources for our global supporter base to share, we also love getting face-to-face with people in their schools and cities to provide research-backed information on this important issue.
As a non-legislative and non-religious organization, our goal is to ensure we deliver age-appropriate, key information backed by science and personal accounts to each audience so they are equipped to make informed decisions regarding pornography. All of our tailored presentations, whether it’s a school, community, parent, or conference presentation, will provide attendees with comprehensive, age-relevant information about:
- How porn impacts the brain
- How porn can harm relationships
- How porn affects society
- Healthy conversations about porn
- Free resources—educational and recovery
We offer presentations customized for each audience, aligning with our mission as a non-religious and non-legislative organization educating with science, facts, and personal accounts. We can provide engaging, empowering, and educational presentations for these types of audiences:
- Middle School/Junior High
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We empower your students to make educated decisions to better equip them to love themselves, have healthy relationships, and make a positive difference in the world.
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