‘Sexting’ quite common among today’s youth
Perhaps this isn’t the kind of news overprotective parents want to hear, but a new U.S.-based study has found “sexting” – that is, using cell phones or a computer to chat suggestively or share photos and videos – is a lot more common than you think.
Believe your kids aren’t into “sexting”? Think again.
A new poll from Associated Press and MTV has found more than a quarter of young people in the U.S. have engaged in “sexting” – yes, more than 25 percent — and that’s from those who admit to exchanging sexually provocative words, images or videos. The study tells a slightly different story than the numbers generated by a poll conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com earlier this year.
Harmless? Perhaps not. Young people have faced charges for sending nude pictures, in some cases, though nearly half of those surveyed, who admit to “sexting,” were unaware it could be a serious problem to send provocative text or nude photos or videos of oneself to others. The other half of those surveyed said they knew it could be a problem but did it anyway.
Fourteen percent of those surveyed said their own suggestive photos were shared without consent, while seventeen percent of those admitted to sharing pictures of others without consent. Girls were a little more likely to send pictures of themselves, while interestingly, most girls called it “slutty” to do so.
Sync readers, are you surprised by any of these findings? Think we’re “sexting” less in Canada? Do you think young teenagers understand that what they do in cyberspace — be it on their cell phone or PC — lives forever?
Filed Under: Breaking News > Polls > Tech Explained > Uncategorized
Tags: cell, chat, internet, mobile, PC, phone, photo, picture, sex, sexting, vieo, Wireless
Nobody sent me anything !
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Being the mom of an 18 year old daughter I’m not at all surprised. I suspect it has gone on since grade 7 or 8 to a varying degree with a lot of kids. Not only do young teens not understand that what they do in cyberspace lives forever but neither do older teens or twenties. Most kids in High School, University, etc. seem to not think (or believe) that this is possible. They seem to think that as long as they block people from their facebook site or only invite people they know that they are immune. They have a lot to learn.
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The beauty in the picture can “sext” me anytime!! mmm mmm mmm
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I disagree with Binky’s ending statment: ” They seem to think that as long as they block people from their facebook site or only invite people they know that they are immune. They have a lot to learn.” YOU ARE INCORRECT at this point in time.
#1 Facebook allows you to setup your profile so ONLY your friends can see you online – in no way shape or form can somebody find you through the facebook search engine if you have a PRIVATE profile.
Ref: FACEBOOK has it written in their Privacy Policy
#2 WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD POST NUDE PHOTOS OF THEMSELVES? and if somebody is actually willing to do that then that is their decision and wether you like it or not you have to respect that, wether they are 22 or 8 years old (I think 8 is a little young but you get the main idea?).
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Yes facebook allows you to setup your security so your “friends” are the only ones to see you page. How many “friends” have you collected? I have facebook and receive many requests to be someones “friend”. Once you put something out there anyone can redistribute it. A 14 year old ex is more than likely to share those private pics once hes been dumped. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle.
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OMG! “Friends”? ok why don’t people use their common sense??? IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE PERSON THEN DON’T ADD THEM TO YOUR FACEBOOK!
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If parents are worried about their kids “sexting”, they should then not allow their kids to use a cell phone until they determine they are mature enough to know the dangers and the stupidity behind it. As well parents should monitor what is happening on their children’s phone especially if the child is younger.
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