Teens can be embarrassed or exposed, and the pictures can be redistributed. The consequences of sexting can even lead to cyberbullying. It can also cause the victim to lose trust in their relationships, and may even put them on a sex offender registry.
Youth who sext, compared to those who don't, were more likely to have multiple sexual partners, experience anxiety and depression, and drink alcohol, take drugs, and smoke.
Bullying, harassment, and humiliation are common problems when the photos and messages get shared beyond the intended recipient. There can be severe emotional and social consequences, including the suicides of teens who had their photos shared.
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.
Unfortunately the reality is more complicated and young people often only become aware of this after the event. In Australia we know that 1 in 3 young people aged 14 – 17 years have had some experience with sexting. Teens were also three times more likely to be asked for a nude than to actually send one.
“Sexting releases the same neurochemicals as pornography,” sexologist and naturopathic doctor, Dr. Jordin Wiggins, ND, tells Bustle. Those neurochemicals are dopamine (or pleasure and reward) and oxytocin (for closeness and connection.)
Sexting can result in significant fines, especially if the teen is convicted of a child pornography charge. Fines can easily exceed $5,000. Probation. An adult convicted of sexting can also face probation of at least 12 months, but typically longer.
Young people who sexted were much more likely to be involved in other sexual activity – more than three times the chance. They were more likely to have had multiple sexual partners, and they were less likely to use contraception. There were also links between sexting and alcohol use, drug use and smoking.
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. It is also connected with bullying.
Why is self-disclosing using digital technology risky? Students should understand that any time they self-disclose using digital technology, their self-disclosure can be copied, pasted, forwarded, altered, spread, or used in ways they didn't intend.
Sexting can happen through sexually explicit text messages, provocative audio clips, suggestive selfies, or videos. No matter what form sexting takes, it should always be a consensual practice between two or more parties.
According to experts, the neurochemical ripples sexting creates in the human brain may also have something to do with its unwavering popularity. Sexting ignites dopamine, the “happy hormone,” and oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone” in the human brain — essentially inducing feelings we love, and perhaps, even crave.
Sexting is a crime if you intentionally distribute an intimate image of a person under 18 to others, even if they agree to the sext message being sent. You could also be charged by police with child pornography offences.
Sending nude photos, explicit videos or flirtatious messages by electronic means is generally legal in California if it takes place between consenting adults. However, sexting can lead to criminal charges if one of the participants is a minor, or if it rises to the level of stalking, harassment or invasion of privacy.
Know the law
If you are under 18, it is against the law to: take, have or distribute a sexual photo; this includes a selfie. have or pass on indecent images of someone under 18. encourage or incite someone to take or send 'sexts'
If the image is shared around peer groups it may lead to bullying and isolation. Perpetrators of abuse may circulate a nude image more widely and use this to blackmail a child and/or groom them for further sexual abuse.
Commonly used sexting codes include: 8: Oral sex.
The impact of sexting on young people
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. It is also connected with bullying.
Sexting can certainly be considered a form of cheating, as it typically betrays the trust and intimacy within a committed relationship. It's normal to feel sad, angry, or lonely after being betrayed. It's also normal to feel as though you can't trust your partner, or fear that sexting is just the tip of the iceberg.
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 offences that involve sexualised images of young people under the age of 18 are treated as child pornography offences and you can be sent to prison for a long time. If you are convicted of certain sexual offences, you will be declared a 'reportable offender' and be placed on the sex offender register.