15 percent of American teens 'sext' on their phones

15 percent of American teens 'sext' on their phones
According to a new study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, about 15 percent of American teens "sext" using their mobile phones, sending either sexually-oriented texts messages or sending photographs/videos in which they are nude or otherwise disrobed.

The older the teens get the larger the percentage gets, and the study shows that boys and girls are equally as likely to "sext".



"Kids have experience with it," adds Amanda Lenhart, a Pew research specialist. "It's something they have to deal with and talk about in their lives."

The report is based on interviews with 800 teenagers with their guardians in September. WiredSafety.org says the numbers may be skewed to the lower side because the teens were with their parents. "If this many teens were willing to admit it in front of a parent or guardian, you have to wonder how many teens are really doing it," says Parry Aftab, executive director of the group.

Those with unlimited texting plans, as well as those that paid for their own service were the most likely to sext.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 16 Dec 2009 23:10
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  • 12 comments
  • tatsh

    ^^ Proof they are reading your texts.

    17.12.2009 03:15 #1

  • bam431

    Does it count when my friend steals my phone and sends out "sexts" to my other friends.

    17.12.2009 09:50 #2

  • Gnawnivek

    SEX and TEXT = SEXT, didn't know there's such thing...

    17.12.2009 11:03 #3

  • teamrawfl

    But how many teens sext while driving?
    http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/20809.cfm

    17.12.2009 12:52 #4

  • IguanaC64

    Not only is there such a thing, but children have already been prosecuted for sending nude pix/video of themselves and put on the Sexual Offenders Registry for the rest of their lives.

    Good luck to them getting a job while on that list...

    17.12.2009 17:23 #5

  • Amak

    And people laugh at me when I say the U.S. is close to outlawing sex. Sexual Offenders for sending pictures of THEMSELVES? God, we have some screwed up laws.

    17.12.2009 20:06 #6

  • John_Donn

    Originally posted by IguanaC64: Not only is there such a thing, but children have already been prosecuted for sending nude pix/video of themselves and put on the Sexual Offenders Registry for the rest of their lives.

    Good luck to them getting a job while on that list...
    I call bs, they wouldn't be tried as adults for that and only adults can be on that list. Sex offenders can also get jobs almost anywhere just minus schools and such

    17.12.2009 20:07 #7

  • borhan9

    Originally posted by tatsh: ^^ Proof they are reading your texts.I would have to agree with you on that one.
    Show your kids this article and see if they will continue sexting if the phone companies can access and see your messages.
    ohh how your perception would change in continuing to do soo..
    However it could add more of a thrill and a taboo to the whole thing.

    17.12.2009 21:22 #8

  • Deadrum33

    if there are any teens worried about whether the pics they sent is considered sexting they can just send them to me at 555-WANK and I will be the judge...

    17.12.2009 21:38 #9

  • KillerBug

    These kids need to start sending BS messages to screw with the Nazis monitoring their phones...stuff like, "I know, can you believe that they are going to shoot the principal durring the assembly"

    IF they do that enough, the pigs will realize that the information is all crap, and they will stop invading everyone's privacy.

    18.12.2009 05:10 #10

  • John_Donn

    Quote:Originally posted by tatsh: ^^ Proof they are reading your texts.I would have to agree with you on that one.
    Show your kids this article and see if they will continue sexting if the phone companies can access and see your messages.
    ohh how your perception would change in continuing to do soo..
    However it could add more of a thrill and a taboo to the whole thing.
    I agree who cares if some stranger is getting off to your sexts hahaha. but seriously this was a study where they asked people not read all these text. If they are then they would have to read through 4.1 billion texts everyday! That is not possible.

    18.12.2009 12:41 #11

  • Javstar

    sounds about right, it is increasing.

    19.12.2009 04:03 #12

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