Sexting can cause serious problems for teens. Not only can it lead to social embarrassment, but it can also lead to bullying and cyberbullying. It can also affect a person's career choices and can lead to “Sextortion” which is the act of sharing naked pictures with another person to harm them.
What are the possible legal consequences of 'sexting'? A naked or sexually explicit picture or video of a person under the age of 18 years is by legal definition child exploitation material and the making, transmission and possession of such images can result in serious criminal charges.
Sharing sexual messages and photos online or by phone is called 'sexting', and sometimes things can go wrong. Sharing sexual messages and photos online or by phone is called 'sexting'. Sure, it can be harmless and fun – that's probably why lots of young people do it.
Sexting is a Federal Crime
Because teen sexting is a crime in the U.S. Anyone who sends or receives sexually explicit content electronically could face charges of child pornography from both the state and federal government.
Using your mobile phone or computer to send, take or download nude or sexual images (photos, videos and more) is a crime if the image includes a person under 18.
According to a 2021 Common Sense Media survey, an estimated 88% of 13- to 18-year-olds and 43% of 8- to 12-year-olds have smartphones. It's not too surprising then that sexting is more common among kids and teens these days. A 2021 study on sexting among youth found these statistics: 19.3% had sent a sext.
Ask Who or What Led Your Child to Sext
After listening to your child, ask how they got into sexting. Often, teens send sexual messages because of peer pressure and blackmail. They may also believe sexting is a healthy way to flirt. During the process, it's crucial only to ask relevant questions.
What are some ways an abuser could use sexting? The act of sexting can be consensual and is not itself a sign of abuse. However, an abuser could use photographs, videos, or messages shared through sexting to maintain power and control over you.
People who sext their romantic partners several times a week or daily report lower levels of commitment and higher degrees of couple conflict than those who don't send the suggestive messages.
Courts Say Sexting and Cyber Sex are Not Adultery
Instead, generally one spouse simply needs to allege that there are irreconcilable differences or that the partners have become incompatible and that there's no hope for the marriage.
It is against the law to take, keep or share sexual images by phone, email or online if: the image shows child pornography unless you are under 18 and an exception applies (see below); you are 18 or over and you are “grooming” (encouraging) someone who is under 16 to engage in an illegal sex act with you; or.
For some people, sexting or sending sexually explicit material via digital devices can turn into an addiction. 1 While sexting addiction is not a diagnosable mental health condition, many experts say it can be part of sexual addiction and have a significant impact on daily functioning.
Sexting undoubtedly has negative effects on individuals and their relationships that often mirror those of physical infidelity. People often feel betrayed, angry, and hurt by their partner's choices. Subsequently, they may feel insecure and worry they won't be able to trust their partner again.
While sexting can be consensual and a form of intimacy for some, it can also be harmful and traumatic for others. Just because a sexually explicit photo or message was sent does not automatically mean that the sender wanted to share it.
Sexting risks for adults
For adults, the main risk of sexting is sharing explicit images and videos with someone you don't know or trust. They could show them to someone you don't know who could share them.
Sexting is connected with trauma and violence. Youth who engage in sexting are three times more likely to experience emotional victimization and are also more likely to experience dating relationship violence.
Talk about the emotional and legal implications of sexting
Ask them to consider whether the hurt and embarrassment of this happening is worth taking the risk in the first place. It is important also to be clear about the legal implications of, for example, exchanging explicit images.
Participants acknowledged sexting as young as 13, but the vast majority were 16 and 17 when they sexted.
Sexts to and from anyone under age 18 are illegal.
This is true even if you are both under 18. U.S. federal law states that a minor cannot legally give consent to be in these types of images or videos – regardless of state ages of consent.
A new study has shown that sexting was associated with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and compulsive sexual behaviors. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.