Do you have a teen who is constantly on their cell phone? Are they secretive about what they are texting friends? A new study found that 28% of teens have texted fully-nude pictures of themselves. Not only could the pictures hurt their social life, but they could be prosecuted for child pornography. The recent report from Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine noted that this trend is growing quickly among teenagers.
- Chances are kids who are sexting are also sexually active. The report found that 77% of girls and 82% of boys who had sent a sext were also not virgins.
- Boys were less annoyed with sexting requests than girls. Almost all the girls reported they were bothered by being asked to sext.
- While only 28% of kids admitted to sexting, over half of the teens said they’d been asked to sext with another person.
- Many states have laws that do not define inappropriate sexual behavior as only between an adult and a minor. Millions of teens could be accused of child pornography because of their sexting.
- There is concern that if the pictures ended up in the wrong hands it could be harmful to a teen.
Is this just a new way for kids to experience puberty and develop sexually or is it a valid problem? Should laws change to keep teens who sext from being branded as pedophiles or sexual offenders? Should parents talk to their kids about sexting and using technology responsibly?
