Running head: SEXT ME BACK?

Sext Me Back?

Silvia Villalobos

University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

The act of sexting has become an ongoing famous trend amongst teenagers. The number of

teenagers who participate in the act sexting is increasing quite rapidly. Sexting has destroyed lives

and has caused emotional damage to individuals all around. Many have committed suicide or have

been bullied because what they believe to be save and in confidence gets released for everyone to

see. Sexting gives teenagers the feeling of acceptance, attention, and it is also a way for them to

express themselves and their feelings, however, the attention that these individuals might be

receiving could be negative and it could affect their reputation in the long run. Once a sext message

has been sent, the other person receiving the message can easily show or share that message with

other peers, which will eventually bring negative attention to the sender. The message will never

be deleted.
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Sext Me Back: A Review of Literature

The word sexting is composed of two other words: “sex” and “texting.” Sexting is the act

of receiving and sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos through a digital device

such as a computer or a cell phone. These explicit messages may include messages where they

talk about sex and what they want to do to one another, photos and videos that contain one

another naked, show or simulate sex acts (Matte, 2017). Sexting is often done as a way of flirting

with their significant other or sometimes done as a joke. Adolescence is marked by establishing a

sense of identity, values, and a sense of relationships with other individuals. The increase in the

use of technology has added social implications of sexting and cyberbullying. The distribution of

pictures in a sexual manner can lead to a conviction under child pornography laws.The advocacy

positions that have been taken with this issue have been for sexting and against sexting. The use

of tablets and cell phones has given a way for individuals to access the internet and, therefore,

use social media, apps, and messaging as a way to communicate with one another, which

increases the chances of them getting involved with sexting (Lohmann, 2012). Individuals use

these devices to document their life and share it with anyone and anywhere. Sharing our lives has

become so simple that we no longer think twice about what kind of information is worth sharing.

However, the Internet is not a place to store your personal data, secrets or files. In this

article, we will discuss one of the forms of online interaction: sexting. Sexting has become an

issue because once a photo is shared between two individuals it can become a viral phenomenon

in the matter of seconds. Sharing these explicit images, videos, messages, etc. might have grave

consequences for both individuals. These consequences include arrests and at times even suicide.

Many young people who thought sexting was a harmless game ended up having their lives

destroyed.
SEXT ME BACK? 4

This literature review will cover the following questions:

 What is sexting and its association with sexual behaviors?

 What background information is necessary to fully understand the emergence of sexting?

 What is the nature of the relationship between sexting and risky sexual practices?

 What are the implications for risk, harm, and vulnerability?

These questions will narrow the purpose of this literature review by providing the

background of the conflict that is of sexting, the involvement of teens and how they could be

affected by it, and the effect it has on society, which includes child pornography. Results from a

conducted survey and interview will also be provided as primary research resources to gain

further knowledge regarding the act of sexting and why those who enact in it are involved.

What is sexting and its association with sexual behaviors?

The word sexting is composed of two other words: “sex” and “texting.” Sexting is the

act of receiving and sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos through a digital

device such as a computer or a cell phone. These explicit messages may include messages where

they talk about sex and what they want to do to one another, photos and videos that contain one

another naked, show or simulate sex acts (Matte, 2017).

According to Binder, sexting behavior was positively related to sexual activity,

unprotected sex, and one's number of sexual partners, but the relationship was weak to moderate.

However, research from North Carolina State University, says that engaging in sexting

doesn't say anything about someone's other sexuality activity. It doesn't indicate the number of

partners someone might have, whether or not they'll use protection, or even if they'll have sex at

all (Binder,2012). The practice of sexting, according to Dolan, mostly begins with minors. Based

on the results from the survey that was provided to 60 individuals, men were more likely to
SEXT ME BACK? 5

report that their last sexting partner was a casual partner, while women were more likely to

report their last sexting partner was a committed partner. An approximate amount of half of the

participants who had sexted reported that the consequences of sexting had resulted in positive

sexual/emotional connection, however, the remaining participants reported negative

consequences. The study also found that 60% have sent or received photos of naked people on

their cell phones or online. Women are slightly more likely to share photos of themselves naked

(26%) than men (13%). Sexual activity explains only a small fraction of sexting, suggesting that

there are other variables that determine whether or not young people engage in sexting. The

question remains, whether indeed sexting and risky sexual behaviours are associated and, if so,

whether risky sexual behaviours are a result of sexting or whether sexting is a result of risky

sexual behaviours.

What background information is necessary to fully understand the emergence of

sexting?

To fully understand the emergence of sexting, it is necessary to know the consequences

that come with sexting; along with what sexting is and why some feel the need to do it (Crofts,

2015). Sexting includes photos and videos containing nudity or show or simulate sex acts. A photo

shared between two people can quickly become a viral phenomenon. An individual may believe it

will be kept private and then discover it has been shared widely (Matte, 2017). It is crucial to

educate young people about the risks involved in revealing matters of sexual intimacy through

sexting as sexting can result in a loss of personal control over one’s privacy once that sext is sent

(Obakeng L. Makgale & Ilse Elisabeth Plattner, 2017). Young people have to be made aware that

sexting makes them vulnerable to misuse and abuse of their personal information. Sex education

for young people who have never known a world without the internet and online facilities, has to
SEXT ME BACK? 6

assist them to develop skills on how to protect themselves and their privacy in the world that is

digital. Considering possible interrelatedness between sexting as a risky behaviour and risky

sexual behaviour, sexting could make young people vulnerable to STDs including HIV infection.

Parents, teachers, student counsellors, and health care providers could include the topic of

sexting when discussing sexual behavior and safe sex with young people to make them aware of

the risks that sexting can impose on them.

It is important to understand that not everything that is shared can be safe. A picture can

be shared to a significant other because there is trust and love, however, it is not uncommon for a

relationship to wrong and what was once confidential at the time, such as a nude or sexting

messages to become publicized. One of the significant others can use these images to retaliate for

the break up just to cause pain to the other individual. These pictures and messages can be shared

to a vast number of individuals for the internet has surfaced all around the world. This can

eventually cause the individual psychological and social problems as well as legal problems for

the sender and receiver.

What is the nature of the relationship between sexting and risky sexual practices?

Sexting tends to lead to risky sexual practices when it involves partners who are more

committed. Studies conducted, according to Temple, J. R., Paul, J. A., Berg, P. V., Le, V. D.,

McElhany, A., & Temple, B. W., showed that the relationship between sexting and risky sexual

that sexting was associated with condomless sex, multiple sexual partners and the use of alcohol

and drugs, which may increase the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors. The Psychological

Association (2007, in Brown, 2009) asserts that sexual content in the media can increase the

pressure on adolescents with respect to virginity, thereby increasing their likelihood of becoming

sexually active. There is also the perception of self-objectification, in which young people see
SEXT ME BACK? 7

their bodies as objects of the desires of others. Joel Haber, a clinical psychologist, in one of his

books on harassment mentions that in general, adolescents use sexting as a form of entertainment

without glimpsing the consequences that implies, because as mentioned, the images or videos

could reach millions of people.

However, according to Binder, A. R, Kosenko, K., & Luurs, G, the normalcy discourse

frames sexting as a healthy form of sexual expression. It has been argued that sexting can help

prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections by giving individuals a way to vent sexual

impulses without acting on them (Binder, A. R, Kosenko, K., & Luurs, G, 2017).

Based on the interview that was conducted, sexting does not always lead to risky sexual

practices, or even sexual practices. Sexting can also be a way for someone to let some steam

blow off and not necessarily interact with another individual. Other factors could lead to risky

sexual practices such as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexting has become a new

trend, and an easy one for that matter that it may also seem easier to be involved in sexting rather

than actual sexual practices.

What are the implications for risk, harm, and vulnerability?

Sexting is a dangerous phenomenon that is widespread and can have terrible

consequences for individuals. Current media does not guarantee the security of your data. A

photo shared between two people can quickly become viral phenomenon and come with grave

consequences (Matte, 2017). Attention has aroused and has been limited to legal cases in which

teens send, receive, and store nude pictures of other individuals or themselves. These individuals

face criminal charges that include child pornography. There are also cases where teens are

bullied as a result of these explicit images, messages, and videos being distributed to a larger

audience. Sexting has led to harassment, bullying and even suicide (Temple, 2012). The filtering
SEXT ME BACK? 8

of these images can lead to cyberbullying, which has led to the suicide and harassment of teens

(Binder, 2011-2015).

Sexting is discussed more comprehensively due to the implications of child pornography

statutes for the social response to involved youth (Judge, soon to come). Sexting can hold serious

consequences, such as being charged with child pornography, having to register in the sex

offenders list, and even facing jail time (Hewitt and Driscoll). The making and distribution of these

images of children (16 to 18 years old) being nude or in a sexual manner can lay under child

pornography laws (Crofts, 2013). It should also be noted that while sexting is generally regarded

as behavior associated with young people, research suggests that adults also engage in sexting, but

this is generally seen as unproblematic when the images or messages are consensually taken and

distributed. When there is a nonconsensual distribution of an image to others, for instance, as

revenge when a relationship breaks down, then the primary source of remedy will be an action in

civil law, such as for breach of privacy or confidence. When an image is created and distributed

without the consent of the party, criminal offenses, such as unlawful stalking, harassment, or

publishing indecent material, may also apply (Crofts 2013). Article 2 of the Optional Protocol to

the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child

Pornography defines child pornography as “any representation, by whatever means, of a child

engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of

a child for primarily sexual purposes” n.d., Optimal Protocol).

In some cases, the victim doesn’t immediately become aware that his/her photos have

been sent and spread around by a vast population or that they have been leaked on the internet.

Once the images are on the internet they can be used to harm the victim in various way, such as

blackmail. No matter what the age of the victim is they can still undergo the same consequences.
SEXT ME BACK? 9

The victim might be blackmailed by them being told they will share them with someone who

should not see these images. These images could end up being posted on pornography websites,

which would damage the image of the victim and cause serious problems.

The case of Amanda Todd is an example of the bad consequences of sexting. Amanda

met someone online who eventually convinced her to show her breasts in front of the camera and

took screenshots to torment and blackmail her. The images came to the hands of all schoolmates,

and his family was forced to change city. However, Amanda continued to be harassed and ended

up committing suicide. It is necessary that parents also understand the consequences of sexting

so they can be able to explain to their children that this could put their reputation in danger, lives

and relationships with other individuals (Wolf, 2012). Many more cases have opened up the eyes

for several individuals and have given rise to the worries and implications that may come with

sexting. Many have committed suicide, have had their lives ruined and their reputation for

something they believed to be safe and fun because they trusted that other individual. It is

important to be careful and to be aware of the backlash that might come from doing such act.

Conclusion

It is indisputable, the media and new technologies came to our lives to stay, reduce

time, space, efforts, help us to efficiently fulfill tasks, in short there is an endless list of the

benefits that these advances have generated in our lives. We inhabit what for some could be a

technological paradise, full of webcams, infinity of pages, telephones and radio locators,

computers so small that you can hold with one hand, videoconferences, video links, cultural

exchange with people that you may never know personally but that thanks to the mass media and

new technologies you have the possibility of doing. Everything seems dreamy, something like a

double life, however it should be clear that in these media there is a delicate line between public
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and private, since they are networks in which we do not exercise any control, that is why

everything It depends on the amount of information that you are willing to share.

To all this it is necessary to become aware and inform of the risks to which we are

exposed every time we come into contact with this type of media. Once inside the information,

images, audio, text, etc., you completely lose control of the dissemination of information. The act

of sexting is an epidemic and is now everything. Sexting has been linked to mirroring other

concerns around cyberbullying and pornography. In spite of the need for more research, the

results of this study suggest that sexting is a common form of communication among individuals.

The results imply that frequent sexting is associated with risky sexual behaviors.

Sexting can be seen as something bad because of the effects it has in the long term, however,

those who take part in sexting might not see it, therefore, it is a matter of how one decides to take

it. Sexting is a dangerous phenomenon that is widespread and can have terrible consequences for

both adolescents and adults. Remember that the current media does not guarantee the security of

your data. Sexting is never "safe" or "private". The identity of an individual can always be

identified by other features if the face is now shown.

References

Binder, A. R, Kosenko, K., & Luurs, G. (2017, May 15). “Sexting and Sexual Behavior, 2011-

2015: A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of a Growing Literature.” Retrieved March

12, 2018, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcc4.12187/full

Crofts, Thomas and Murray Lee. “Sexting,’ Children and Child Pornography.” Sydney Law

Review, v.35/1 (2013).

Crofts, T., Lee, M., McGovern, A., & Milivojevic, S. (2015). Sexting and Young People.

Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Dolan, E. W.

Judge, A. M. (2011, April 11). “Sexting” Among U.S. Adolescents: Psychological and Legal

Perspectives. Retrieved March 12, 2018, from

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10673229.2012.677360

Lohmann, R. C. (2012, July 20). “The Dangers of Teen Sexting.” Retrieved March 10, 2018,

from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201207/the-dangers-teen-

sexting

Matte, C. (2017, February 17). “What is Sexting and Why is it a Problem?”. Retrieved March 12,

2018, from https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-sexting-problem-1258921

(n.d). Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children,

child prostitution and child pornography. Retrieved March 13, 2018, from

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/OPSCCRC.aspx

Obakeng L. M. & Plattner E. (2017). “Sexting and Risky Sexual Behaviours Among

Undergraduate students in Botswana: An Exploratory Study”. Retrieved March 14, 2018,

from https://cyberpsychology.eu/article/view/7073/6435

Richard, R., Scott, C. (2017). Principles and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry, Third Edition.

Temple, J. R., Paul, J. A., Berg, P. V., Le, V. D., McElhany, A., & Temple, B. W. (2012,

September). “Teen Sexting and its Association with Sexual Behaviors”. Retrieved March

11, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3626288/

Wolf, N. (2012, October 26). “Amanda Todd’s Suicide and Social Media’s Sexualisation of

Youth Culture.” Retrieved March 7, 2018, from

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/26/amanda-todd-suicide-social-

media-sexualisation
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Appendix A

The survey that was provided, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/73MGWMS, provided

feedback from sixty individuals regarding whether they enacted in sexting or had ever received

an explicit message or picture. Each question explored different circumstances that could have

involved different scenarios within each individual. The study found that 60% have sent or

received photos of naked people on their cell phones or online. Women are slightly more likely

to share photos of themselves naked (26%) than men (13%). Men were more likely to report that

their last sexting partner was a casual partner, while women were more likely to report their last

sexting partner was a committed partner. An approximate amount of half of the participants who

had sexted reported that the consequences of sexting had resulted in positive sexual/emotional

connection, however, the remaining participants reported negative consequences.

Appendix B

A phone interview was conducted to determine the possible reasons that sexting had

emerged and whether it had a bad effect or positive effect on those participating in it.