What is Sexting?
- Sexting is the sharing of explicit sexual images through the use of digital media.
- A way to share intimacy with a partner, to build sexual attraction, to appease a partner, and maintain intimacy over long distances
Lets face it, people are sexting!
- 50% of 18-24 year olds are sexting.
- Tuesday from 10-12pm is the most popular time to sext
- Iphone users are twice as likely than Android users.
Should we teach and practice safe sexting?
In short, yes. Practicing abstinence to youth has been taught for decades, however, the youth is participating in sexual activities regardless. Therefore, a new approach should be taught to the youth. Teaching safe sex and sexting is a better approach and can be a realistic goal for the youth. Instilling a fear-based education into the youth about the dangers of sexting has not decreased the prevalence for youth to be sending nudes or explicit messages.
Dangers of Sexting
- Long term consequences
- Humiliation
- Extortion
- Victimization
- School sanction
- Reputational damage
- Possible criminal charges
10 Actions to Promote Safe Sexting
- Do not share received sexts with any other person. This could be a form of nonconsensual sharing of pornography, which is illegal.
- Ensure that you know the person you are sexting.
- Do not send anything that the other person might not want to see or recieve.
- Boudoir pictures are a better option than fully nude pictures.
- Never send nude pictures that include your face in it.
- Do not include personal tags that can be traced to you, such as tattoos, birth marks, scars, jewelry, and any personal background.
- Turn off location services
- If threatened or pressured, save all evidence in case of law enforcement.
- Try an app that permanently deletes pictures after a certain amount of time.
- Delete any explicit photos or videos from your device.
More information on safe sexting can be found on https://psychcentral.com/news/2020/01/18/new-approach-teach-teens-safe-sexting/153421.html
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