A new study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, suggests that teenagers who engage in sexting are more likely to have mental health issues and numerous sexual partners compared to teenagers who do not engage in the act.
Around 23 studies were analyzed and the studies were comprised of 41, 723 participants that are younger than 18-years old. The results found a significant link between sexting and increased sexual activity, multiple partners, anxiety, depression and lack of contraceptive use. Other problematic behaviors like alcohol abuse and drugs were also highlighted as being potentially linked to sexting, which is the exchange of sexual videos, photographs, and messages.
The study, which was compiled by the University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of Texas, found that the associations were stronger in teenagers. The researchers continued by saying that it is difficult to know whether sending or receiving sexually explicit messages directly led to any of the negative outcomes, or if sexting is just one of the numerous risky acts that a teenager is more inclined to engage in.
The author of the study wrote that even though sexual exploration becomes an increasingly normative part of development as teenagers age, it is possible that teenagers may be more susceptible to risks linked to sexting owning to their relative immaturity compared with older people.
However, the link between sexting, certain sexual behaviors, and internalizing problems still remains. Even to a lesser extent, in older youth an early education may act as a preventive measure to decrease the risk of exposure in late adolescence and young adulthood.
Sexting and its connection to mental health
Numerous experts have highlighted how the results of the study were merely correlational. They added that any conclusions should be treated with caution.
Dr. Qazi Rahman, a senior lecturer in psychology at King's College London, said that the links look small and there was lots of variability between the studies and in the scientific quality of the studies examined.
It is also possible that there are some common factors that link sexual activity, sexting and mental health. These could include a lot of things like environmental variables, personality and even biological factors.
However, relationship expert James Preece said that for a lot of teenagers, sexting can be a gateway to other risky behavior. He said that what was once seen as taboo, is now slowly becoming accepted as normal.
Preece added that the study is worrying but it is not surprising. Most teenagers now have their own mobile phones, which allows them to talk and text anyone without being monitored. Once teenagers have sent naked photos of themselves, it can be easier for them to be talked into the next step.
Preece explained that teenagers are at their most vulnerable so this could lead to risky sex or even drug use. If they have sent a photo, it can be taken as an indication that they are ready to take things further and the only way to regain control is for parents to check on them regularly to know what their children are up to.
Sexually explicit contents
A separate study in 2018 by the University of Calgary found that while one in seven teenagers have sent sexual messages, one in four have received them. The reason behind the concern was highlighted in the research when they found out the high number of teenagers who admitted to forwarding sexts without the consent of the original sender.
The NSPCC outlines the risks of sexting on their official website. They explain that a young person is breaking the law if they take an explicit video or photo of themselves or a friend and if they forward them without consent.
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