Sexting is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs or images, primarily between mobile phones. It may also include the use of a computer or any digital device, social networks and other technologies. But the warning part about sexting is increasing among adolescents in the past two decades. The findings, published Tuesday in JAMA Pediatrics, come from a systematic review of 39 recent studies on sexting that surveyed more than 110,000 youth under the age of 18. studies reveal that sexting is an increasingly common practice, with the prevalence increasing each year until youth reach the age of 18 years.

Study estimates 1 in 7 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 have sent a sext, while an even larger number, 1 in 4, has received one.

The prevalences of forwarding a sext without consent and having a sext forwarded without consent were 12% and 8.4%, respectively, said researchers including Sheri Madigan, Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in Canada.
With the published rate of youth sexting ranging from 1.3% to 60%, the extent to which health care professionals, school personnel, policymakers, and parents should be concerned about this behavior is unknown. While it is becoming clear that a sizable number of adolescent boys and girls participate in sexting, research examining sex differences has been inconsistent. Media portrayals of sexting have often implicated adolescent girls as the senders of naked photographs and teenage boys as the requesters.

The nonconsensual forwarding of sexts can lead to harassment by peers, cyberbullying, or blackmailing and in extreme cases lead to suicide.

Research shows concern about sexting among tweens, meaning children between the ages of 10 and 12. More and more teens are using smartphones, the authors note, estimating the average age at which kids get their first smartphone is now 10.3 years.

Thus the study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, stated that age-specific information on sexting and its potential consequences should regularly provide as a component of sex education.

An accompanying JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page offers several tips for parents. They advise:

• Talking with teens and preteens early about sexting and its risks
• Reading recent news items about sexting together and discuss what can happen when sexting goes badly
• Discouraging tweens with cell phones from sending messages or images to anyone without clothes
• Being specific with teens about what sexting is and how it can lead to serious consequences