According to a study conducted by University of Southern California, Los Angeles researchers, children that "sext" are much more likely to be sexually active than those that do not. Originally, teen sexting was thought to be an alternative to teenage sex, but this is not the case, according to this new study. For those not familiar with sexting, it is the process of sending sexual messages or pics by cellphone. Since every teen has a cellphone with text and picture messaging, it is simple for teens to take and send sexually explicit pictures. Erick Rice, PhD, of UCLA called sexting "part of the new landscape of the sex lives of teens."
The study found that around 15% of teens sexted, and more than half knew someone who had. The study reported that if a teen sexted, they were seven times more likely to be sexually active. If a friend sexts, teens were seventeen times more likely to text themselves. This is a great reason for parents to start a conversation with their kids about teen sexting, and how dangerous it can be. The more they are aware, the better equipped they will be when someone actually does send them a naked picture or suggestive text.
Photo by GoodNCrazy on Flickr.com
Gabriel Legend covers a wide range of breaking news for Gather. He writes fiction as well, with his first novel coming out in 2013. You can follow on Twitter at @GabrielLegend1 or contact him directly here.
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Comments: 4
The time frame was 1960s and 1970s. Kids were having sex everywhere at age 11, 12 and 13. No cell phones, no sexting, just males and females in a situation where most of them saw both parents work all day so... they did what they pleased between the closing school bell and dinner time.
Age + hormones + the ignorance of youth = sex
Expanded a bit, the equation reads:
Age + hormones + the ignorance of youth = sex = STD +/- pregnancy
Can't blame this on cell phones or 'sexting'. This is an issue of kids being left to write their own rules... meaning, either lack of parenting or poor parenting.
Correlation: Yes, sexting goes with sexual activity because teens interested in their sexuality are more likely to do both.
Causation: Cell phones cause teens to feel more sexual.
Hmm. I think it's the first one.