Crime

Shock Study: One in Four Teens Has ‘Sexted’

Ever since the concept of “sexting” (IE sending sexually explicit pictures and/or messages by text message) was introduced to the media, an implacable parade of horribles has slowly emerged regarding the practice, sparking and fanning a veritable moral panic. And a new study reported on by the Washington Post is unlikely to halt that parade any time soon, given that it shows that, along with being dangerous, the act of sexting is also extremely widespread:

A study released Monday afternoon finds that one in four teens has “sexted” a nude image of him or herself via e-mail or text message.

The survey of 948 students ages 14 to 19 (in grades 10 and 11) at seven Texas high schools sought to pin down just how prevalent the practice of sexting is among teens and to determine whether sexting is linked to other sex-related behaviors. The authors note that the estimates commonly bandied about derive from assessments such as polls that haven’t been subject to scientific peer review. (This study only looked at the sending of nude images via text or e-mail, not other forms of “sexting” such as sending messages that, while suggestive or worse, contain only words.)[...]

Among those who’d been asked to send a nude image of themselves, almost all the girls (93 percent) and 54 percent of boys reported they felt bothered by the request; 27 percent of girls said they were bothered “a great deal,” while just 3 percent of boys said they were bothered to that degree.

The implications of this study are, even confined solely to a legal perspective, quite shocking. It means, in effect, that millions of teens nationwide are guilty of some form or another of disseminating child pornography. However, clear though it is that this is a problem, it is certainly not clear that these overexcited teens meet the typical profile one expects from child pornographers, nor even that their motives are the same. To quote from the study itself:

In an adolescent period characterized by identity development and formation, sexting should not be considered equivalent to childhood sexual assault, molestation, and date rape. Doing so not only unjustly punishes youthful indiscretions, but minimizes the severity and seriousness of true sexual assault against minors. At the same time, any efforts to soften penalties of sexting should be done cautiously so as not to introduce legal loopholes for other cases involving sexual assault.

Fair enough, but one ancillary argument advanced by the study may trouble many parents – namely, the idea that sexting is the new “normal” and should be treated as such, even with the acknowledgment that it is unsafe. We do not know what the normal practice is among parents regarding this type of behavior, but we imagine most parents would have quite a few questions about a culture where transmitting images of one’s prepubescent naked body is considered “normal.”

Comments (34)

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  • cerlav
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:51am

    South Park – Cartman: “25% of Americans believe 9/11 was a conspiracy Kyle, are you saying 25% of Americans are stupid?” Kyle: “Yes I am saying 25% of American’s are stupid.” Stan: “Yeah, at least 25%” 1 in 4 is 25%. Next…..

    Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:48am

    Sneaking National Geographics is still cheaper than by them a cell phone.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • carpee
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:48am

    I’m the one that is shocked its only 1 in 4

    Report Post »  
  • okaaay
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:42am

    It all comes down to the parenting. I am confident that not one of my 5 kids (now aged 17 and up) would do this. They would be downright disgusted. They are modest in what they where, embarrassed to show to much and have a lot of normal, good clean fun, like this age should happen. Why?
    Because we have dinner together. We interact and have conversation and discuss important things.
    We go to church every Sunday with our kids and invite their friends over for dessert.
    The REAL problem is that parents have abandoned their kids and left them to raise themselves.

    I was standing with a group of moms (my student’s moms) and hey were discussing what they should do to keep their kids from partying. They tossed around all kinds of things, shaking their heads that it was just impossible and kids were going to be kids and just WERE going to party no matter what. One of them pointed me out and said “Well her kids don’t
    Another answered “Well, she goes to church. I just don’t have time for that!

    Report Post »  
  • PingPongPing
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:59am

    to all parents, pay special attention because this is an outward manifestation that the child is seeking approval/acceptance with peers instead of inside the home with family.

    if these kids cant get that from the parents who should be telling them how much they are valued as an individual, they will do anything to get recognition, even if they have to send their nakey pics to their classmates….

    can you read me? THIS IS YOUR WAKEUP CALL!

    Report Post » PingPongPing  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:09am

    Understood. I believe silly phones get the youth of this generation more excited than the opposite sex. So it stands to reason they would need both. Less of the human and more of the phone. Sad.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • MRMANN
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 5:16am

    Confusing story to me. First it is mentioned that the survey was not subjected to [neutral] peer review. And then at the end of article, the conclusion stated is both pro & con re: sexting.

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  • Git-R-Done
    Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:02am

    Liberals are happy when they hear about kids having sex b/c it means they’re going to encounter problems such as STDs or unplanned pregnancies even when using birth control and turn to the government to bail them out of these problems.

    Report Post »  
  • elliotyoung
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:21pm

    I’ll be frank here guys going over to Europe and the Pacific during WWII, Nam, etc. routinely had girlfriends who gave them pictures with themselves in equal states of undress. My point: Society isn’t falling off a moral cliff. I am not condoning the practice of sexting, nor am I condemning it. People need to take responsibility for their choices and the consequences of those choices (ruined reputations, public exposure, etc). It is not the job of the government to use hyperbolic news reports of “sexting epidemics” to justify harsh penalties for the crackdown on the practice. In fact, in a matter of my opinion, these things shouldn’t even be under the purview of the government or criminal prosecution in the first place. Consenting adults, those engaging in voluntary action, should have the right to interact with eachother in whatever manner they so choose, except in the case of the use of force or fraud by either party. The responsibility here lies with the teens and their parents. If their parents buy them a phone, then it’s their responsibility to know the risks and rewards, and let their teens know their wishes for the use of the devices. It‘s also up to the teens to make their own decisions regarding the practice and whether they want to break their parents’ wishes. If they do, then they have to accept the consequences from their parents and the social stigma that may develop. But once again I‘ll reiterate that government doesn’t need to be involved.

    Report Post » elliotyoung  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 3:37am

      Then how come the out of wedlock birth rate is higher today than it was back then? How come there are more children who grow up without a father in the house today than back then?

      Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:58pm

    I have pictures of me not caring.
    What is wrong with you freaks?

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:30pm

    Not surprising one bit. Nowadays, with the culture of the girls being raised, all you have to do is give them a beer or two and they will screw a rock if they think it will impress someone – anyone!

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • mrmarkjohnson
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:27pm

    Why is it shocking that 1 in 4 teens has sexted? Most teens have had sex. Isnt actually having sex more serious than sexting?

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:50pm

    Two Sexes… Puberty before Teens… If it’s the only game in town then most are going to play!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • PROAMERICAN
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:49pm

    Wait a minute… If the Govt is collecting every cell phone conversation, email, text, etc. would that mean there is “kiddy porn” on the data base? I think they could go to jail for that!

    Report Post » PROAMERICAN  
    • lukerw
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:29pm

      If Slavery is Prohibited; If each person own’s their own body… then self exhibition is legal!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • v15
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:28pm

    Water it down to maybe one-sixth of The Blaze readers’ kids or themselves being guilty of this…

    Report Post » v15  
  • ShiprockBilagaana
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:19pm

    Kinda sad when you think about it. We have so inured our young people to sexual images that they have no moral basis to refuse participation in it. Of course, it doesn’t help that we Americans are so hung up on all things sexual that any depistion of nakedness is automatically pornographic in nature. It also doesn’t help that the writer of this article does not know the difference between an adolescent and a prepubescent person. A pedophile has a preference for prepubescent children– that is children who have not entered puberty (under age 9 or 10). A hebephile prefers pubescent children, those just entered into puberty (age 9-13 depending upon rate of maturation). A person who has a preference for older adolescents (ages 14-19, like what is mentioned in the article) is an ephebophile. Perhaps the writer should just stick to the facts and not editorialize by using inaccurate words simply for their shock value.

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  • frogg
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Kids do what kids do! “You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.” has been around since we invented a way to cover our bodies. Now, tell me I’m wrong? Get over it and teach your kids the danger of doing it where the Picture lasts forever!! Teach your kids and beat their butts once-in-a-while. We don’t beieve in punishing our childern when they are young enough to learn. That’s too cruel!
    No, we wait and throw them into jail because we never taught them right from young!!!!!
    Nough said!!!!!!

    Report Post » frogg  
  • Mapache
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:12pm

    “most parents would have quite a few questions about a culture where transmitting images of one’s prepubescent naked body is considered “normal.”!”

    REALLY?! How about transmitting any images of one’s naked body. I just don’t get it. Anyone? Anyone ? Congressman Weiner? Anyone?

    Report Post » Mapache  
  • frust@ted
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:00pm

    This is the second story today about todays youth that just has me rolling my eyes. Is Sexting stupid, yes. However teens flashing or exposing themselves to eachother is something that has been done for generations, my Sister was mooned by a kid 20 years ago during study hall. My dad told me of a story of a girl in middle school that would flash the boys her breasts underneath the bleachers. These stories get completly blown out of proportion.

    Report Post »  
  • freeberty
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:55pm

    Is there any good reason for a kid to have a cell phone?

    Report Post »  
    • Dano.50
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:59am

      Agree with you a 100% on that.

      The argument for kids having cell phones was so you can get hold of them in emergencies but for just about everything else they abuse the privilage of communication.

      When we were kids we were told to get off the phone half the time cause we had chores or homework to do. And no calls after a certain time on week days.

      How do you do that when the kid carries their own phone?

      I wonder how far grade averages have dropped since teens got cells because I know it affects work production. I’ve had to ask employees “Is somebody sick or dying? Cause if not, get the H of the phone I’m not paying you yap.”

      I used to be polite about it, but when it’s done over and over and over you just get sick and tired of it.

      Report Post »  
  • Rosalyn
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:45pm

    This doesn’t surprise me. Parents have no clue nor do they care what their kids are doing. Parents are failing because they would rather be friends with their kids than be actual parents. It‘s frustrating and it’s inexcusable. Parenting is not that hard, keep an eye on your kids, talk to them,make sure they know the rules, and get them involved in community service. And yes I have teens, three boy and two more preteens. My kids are well aware if they do something wrong such as sexting I will throw their phone in the trash and not let them out of my sight.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:35pm

    wow how is that secularism working for everyone? theplanned parenthood culture of school sex ed of sexual deviancy for children being without consequence just another normal bodily function right? here’s to you liberals this great society you have created. shhh make sure not to bring up God or participate in prayer it may damage people right isn’t that what we are supposed to stomach?

    Report Post »  
  • SurhanSurhan
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Christians! (smh)

    Report Post »  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:03am

      Better to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.

      Report Post »  
    • SurhanSurhan
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 1:02pm

      @ GIT-R-DONE- Falling for Christianity is worse than anything else you could fall for.

      Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:25pm

    Whats stunning is the lack of parenting this days, I would tell any child male /female that if someone askes you to sext them, you text back ” for them to go to hell, and take there kiddy porn with them, you f-n perv.”

    Report Post » flatbroke  
    • SPOT_OF_TEA
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:47pm

      Everyone has decided to let the government be their kids parents.I overheard a conversation where someone asked how he could let his kid watch a certain movie…the guy responded well they rated it PG.As long as the government said it was ok then his kid could watch it.

      Report Post » SPOT_OF_TEA  
  • millchr
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:13pm

    This country is so screwed. For two generations the children of america have had everything they wanted handed to them. Now those generations are becoming parents and really could care less about the actual role of parenting and instead prefer to be their kids best friend. Its more important to most for their kids to be popular instead of doing the right thing. “Oh my kid would never do something like that you just don’t like him” is becoming the cultural norm in the education system. In some ways i dread the next 40 yrs.

    Report Post »  
    • powedj
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:15pm

      I‘m glad I don’t have another 40 years to find out.

      Report Post » powedj  
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