A new study from the University of Southern California has found a link between "sexting" and sexual behavior in younger teens.
US California researchers believe the results will enlighten the public as to whether sexually explicit mobile messaging is a manifestation of risky sexual behavior or a new technologically driven element included in normal teenage flirting.
According to the latest research published in the journal Pediatrics, there are six times more sexually active teenagers among high school students who receive sexting than among those who do not practice sexting.
The term “sex” in the study is defined as a text message or photo of a sexual nature.
Earlier studies of sexting and sexual behavior have been in high school students and young adults. In the current case, the researchers were interested in representatives of younger adolescence. Recent data have shown a clear association between early sexual debut and risky sexual behaviors, including teenage pregnancy, sex under the influence of drugs and alcohol, experiences of forced sex, and a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
“The findings highlight the need for training educators, pediatricians and parents on how to communicate with younger teens about sexting and its relationship to sexual behavior,” said study author Eric Rice. “The conversation about sexting should take place as soon as the child has a mobile phone.”
The study anonymously surveyed 1,300 Los Angeles high school students aged 10-15 years old, with an average age of 12.3 years in the sample. The results suggest that even if sexting was controlled, younger teens who exchange more than 50 sex messages a day are more likely to be sexually active in real life.
Other key findings: Younger teens posting sixths were six times more likely to be sexually active. Sending and receiving sexts go hand in hand - those who sent sexual messages were 23 times more likely to also receive sex messages. Students who declare their own sexual ambiguity (so-called LGBTQ) are nine times more likely to send sexts. However, unlike older undecideds, LGBTQ teenagers are rarely sexually active.
Researchers acknowledge that although anonymized, the data was provided by the teens themselves and is therefore limited by socially desirable bias, as well as limited by the geography and demographic diversity of Los Angeles.
However, the dramatic correlations between students' participation in sexual correspondence and their early and risky sexual activity points to the need for further study and draws attention to the link between technology use and sexual behavior in younger adolescents. The results indicate a high likelihood that excessive, unrestricted, or uncontrolled texting is likely to involve sexting.
Parents should openly monitor their child's mobile phone, check who they are talking to, and perhaps limit the number of messages allowed per month according to their data plan.
Add a comment