While some
research has indicated a correlation between sexting and being sexually active or
engaging in risky sexual behavior for high school students, little has been
uncovered for the middle school age population.
Sexting, sending
or receiving sexual explicit photos or texts, has been linked in some studies
to multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual activity and even other risky
behaviors such as binge drinking in high school students.
While debate
continues to swirl on this issue, researchers are trying to determine if
sexting is an alternative to physical sexual activity or a part of today’s
sexual behavior with technology a mainstay in teens' lives.
Past studies
have included both high school and middle school age students, but the younger
group has not been isolated to determine what the link between sexting and
sexual behavior is at this more impressionable age.
A group of
researchers recently focused on the middle age group through a questionnaire
and analysis of data gathered from a Los Angles middle school. “Sexting and
Sexual Behavior among Middle School Students” by Eric Rice, Jeremy Gibbs,
Hailey Winetrobe, Harmony Rhoades, Aaron Plant, Jorge Montoya and Timothy
Kordic, appeared in a recent issue of Pediatrics.
The findings
supported earlier results that sexting and sexual behavior are tied together.
According to the study, those who reported receiving a sext were six times more
likely to report being sexually active and those who sent a sext were almost
four times more likely to report being sexually active. “As has been
found consistently with young adults and high school–aged adolescents, sexting
and sexual activity go hand-in-hand,” the study says.
Due to these
results that support earlier conclusions, the authors believe pediatricians
should begin discussing sexting with adolescents as this may prompt
conversations regarding sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention.
The authors also feel sexting and associated risks should become part of middle
school sex education.
As always, parents and adults of influence in teens’ lives
can strive to combat risky behavior by discussing issues such as sexting.
Check back later this week as discuss apps
Check back later this week as discuss apps