Can sexting lead to risky behavior in young followers? Yes, say researchers from the University of Calgary in Canada. The practice, contraction of sex and texting (sending SMS with sexually explicit content), could expose to risky sexual behavior and expose to mental disorders. Camille Mori, lead author of the study and a student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary, says sexting can cause young followers to have multiple sexual partners. Teens who practice it tend to be more prone to anxiety and depression, drink alcohol, take drugs and smoke than those who do not send a “sext.” They would also be less likely to use a means of contraception, according to the results published in JAMA Pediatrics.
Another finding is that these side effects of sexting have been observed more in pre-adolescents than in older adolescents. According to the authors, taken up by Mashable, this discovery could predict a sexually active behavior at a younger age.
A practice that is becoming commonplace among teens
These findings come from a meta-analysis of 23 sexting studies, based on more than 41,000 participants aged 12 to 17. The messages were sent between adolescents in a serious romantic relationship or as part of more “casual” communications, such as flirtations.
According to the authors, older teens are less vulnerable to the risks of sexting because they may be more emotionally and cognitively mature than younger teens.
Should parents therefore fear this new trend, which affects one in four young people according to the authors? Sexting is a “normative aspect of the sexual exploration of adolescents”, reassures Camille Mori. Rather, she encourages parents to favor non-judgmental and benevolent exchanges with teens by emphasizing the importance of consent and mutual respect.
In adults, sending naughty messages would not only be a way to arouse desire but also to perpetuate the romantic relationship, according to Californian researchers.
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