Sexting: Know the Facts | Teen Ink

Sexting: Know the Facts MAG

September 15, 2009
By Katie Bachman BRONZE, Auburn, New York
Katie Bachman BRONZE, Auburn, New York
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

High-tech has created a new low. The term “sexting” is a combination of the words sex and texting, and refers to the practice of sending sexually ­explicit photos electronically, mainly by cell phone. The incidents of sexting have dramatically increased in the past few years; 20 percent of teens said they had sent a sexting message, according to a 2008 study commissioned by the National ­Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl.com. Though many in our generation are taking part, few understand the serious consequences of this irresponsible fad.

Recent advances in technology have revolutionized the way we interact socially. Cell phones and e-mail have changed the way we communicate but have led to dangerous and ­destructive behavior. While some teens may think sexting is fun or harmless, this new craze can have devastating consequences. When a photo or video is sent to another person, privacy is lost forever. The content can be broadcast to anyone. The original sender has no control once he or she presses “send.”

The consequences of sexting can be ­severe, ranging from embarrassment to ­imprisonment or worse. Explicit photos or videos forwarded from person to person can cause embarrassment for the original sender. Many teens don’t realize that once they hit “send,” control of who else sees that compromising photo is now completely up to the recipient. You may think you know your friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend, but can you trust them forever?

Many young people who thought sexting was a harmless game ended up having their lives destroyed. In one tragic incident, Jesse Logan, an 18-year-old from Ohio, was mercilessly humiliated after explicit photos she had sexted to a boyfriend ended up circulating among her peers. She eventually killed herself.

Imagine being convicted of the crime of child pornography and serving five year’s probation. You are rejected by colleges, lose your friends, and have to move because your home is too close to a school. You’re unable to get a job, and you have to register as a sex ­offender until you are 43. That’s exactly what happened to Phillip Alpert, a Florida 18-year-old. He ruined his life by circulating nude pictures of his girlfriend (which she had sent him), by texting them to his friends, her friends, and her family. The legal problem: she was only 16 and a minor; distributing explicit photos of a minor constitutes child pornography. The real problem: like many teenagers, he did not understand the long-term consequences of his actions.

Sexting may seem like harmless fun, but teens should think twice before hitting the “send” button. There is no turning back once a message is sent.



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This article has 186 comments.


brack said...
on Oct. 1 2010 at 9:18 am
I think that sexting is a horrible thing, you can get into a load of trouble

sportsgal said...
on Sep. 28 2010 at 1:40 pm
sportsgal, Bridgewater, Other
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
treegirl93, so have some people they know. their reps wern't ruined but they are humillitate by the high schooler the sexted almost everyday. But reps can change quite fast. Although my school takes sexting jokingly it can turn out bad for them if the sext the wroung people. I proudly can say I Have Never Sexted. Though have recied them but ignored them

tt(: said...
on Sep. 23 2010 at 9:09 am
i think this paragraph is okay! we all havee donee thiss beforr, no  onee is innocent. youu all aree full of bull sh$$ nd its stupid. byee

on Sep. 8 2010 at 1:40 am
SassieCassie322 BRONZE, Encino, California
1 article 0 photos 102 comments
this is a great article that really puts things into perspective. thanks for writing this!

jennifur GOLD said...
on Sep. 6 2010 at 11:06 pm
jennifur GOLD, Youngstown, Pennsylvania
12 articles 4 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
"even after all this time the sun never says to the earth 'you owe me.' see what happens with a love like that? it lights up the sky." -hafiz

very true. these are issues that should be adressed and teens and kids who read this will soon see the risks! NO SEXTING.

on Sep. 6 2010 at 9:23 pm
SoulxFinder BRONZE, Cobourg, Other
3 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world. - Edgar Allan Poe

 

Excellent article. Well written, and good facts to back up the point.

Cyberspace is a dangerous place.


on Sep. 6 2010 at 7:49 pm
crunchyginger18 GOLD, Lawrence, Kansas
16 articles 5 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life Imitates Art" Lana Del Rey

I've made several jokes about this to my friends, and reading this really opened up my eyes to the harmfulness of it. no more jokes to my friends, that's for sure. I don't have a cell phone, so I've never done it, and reading this, I Never Will

on Sep. 6 2010 at 6:50 pm
SamsPhotography, Panama City, Florida
0 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesnt believe, and leaves before she is left. –Marilyn Monroe

I've been asked for dirty pictures before, and every single time I've refused to send them. I'm proud to say that I've never "sexted". In my opinion, it's unclassy.

on Sep. 6 2010 at 8:19 am
inksplatters21 SILVER, Mason, Ohio
6 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Character is how you live when no one is watching."

Thank you Howler for that wonderful point.  Also, great article

on Sep. 1 2010 at 10:47 pm
ErinsGoneCrazy BRONZE, Portsmouth, Virginia
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

Honestly, I think if you're with someone you trust and you  need a way to spice up the relationship, why not? I've done it with two of my boyfriends and it's helped us a lot. Not to mention it's fun. I think if you send something to someone you don't really know, that's asking for it. I waited for three months before I ever started to "sext" my boyfriend. I enjoy it, and I know he does too. And if somehow my pictures or my texts get around, oh well. It was my fault and that way I know that I can't trust that person so I don't need to be with them anyways.

reba137 BRONZE said...
on Aug. 25 2010 at 3:13 pm
reba137 BRONZE, Reeseville, Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Some days its beter to walk away..."

a while ago my friend asked for sum pics and when i sed no he tried saying hed pay me 5 then 10 the even 20 bucks then a few days later his dad calld me and even though i had no reson to be i was scared

on Aug. 17 2010 at 9:26 pm
diaphragm BRONZE, Tallahassee, Florida
2 articles 0 photos 86 comments
Gosh, I didn't even know there was such a term before I read this! Very helpful :)

on Aug. 13 2010 at 10:52 pm
i wish i had read this article about a month ago. i'd always known about "sexting" and what it is, but i never really realized the consequences. reading about how pressing 'send' takes away your control over the situation scares me the most. anyone reading this should know that this whole 'sexting' thing is NOT a risk worth taking

on Aug. 12 2010 at 12:09 am
WaterWatcher SILVER, Houston, Texas
9 articles 0 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
Good things don't just happen to those that wait but to those that do.

truth be told im on probation cuz of my EX-bff who sent her crush who hated her a nude pic of herself he sent it to all his contacts and i was one of 'em and all of us were called to the office and taken to the police station and had our fones confiscated  it is not fun to have to sit cuffed in a cop car i am now expecting about 3 months in ala and another 3 months in iss all thanks to my EX-bff. and the moral being before u do something stupid like sexting think about who u could affect.

Chimerical said...
on Jul. 19 2010 at 10:43 am
Chimerical, Brampton, Other
0 articles 13 photos 53 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You know you are famous when your signature becomes an autograph."

My parents are really paranoid about sexting... I got a text that said "I love you babe" and my cellphone got taken away...

Really good article btw =)


on Jul. 15 2010 at 6:11 pm
sweethearrrt GOLD, Portland, Oregon
10 articles 7 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
— Marilyn Monroe

*side note* sexting does not allways have to include pics or videos. it can be with words, too.

xxzoE SILVER said...
on Jul. 5 2010 at 5:20 am
xxzoE SILVER, Ringwood East, Other
7 articles 5 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

One: that is beautifully written, well done.

Two: you are extremely right. There was a girl at my school who sent a video of her (lets say, having fun on her own) and it was sent all over the school, myself not included, the police were involved and her parents- naturally. Before you press send think about your parents seeing what you are sending. 


on Jun. 30 2010 at 8:47 pm
jschara94 SILVER, North Freedom, Wisconsin
5 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
"We still live! We still love! We shall die dancing in each other's arms!" -Dr. Faustus

I completely agree with you.  I feel we should focus more on the child abuse and rape that is taking place across the world.  Those who are intentionally putting their bodies out there for the world to see should be left to their own consequences.

on Jun. 15 2010 at 9:26 am
SnehaChatterjee PLATINUM, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Other
45 articles 2 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
Two roads diverged in the woods and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference

So true!!! a well written article.....

on Jun. 10 2010 at 4:42 pm
Eilina Sealtman SILVER, London, Other
7 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Good argument there. You're right, "sexting" is becoming a major issue within developing countries. I think it's something to do with the loss of culture. In places like Germany and Denmark where Nordic/Gaulish metal and beer are the major issues among youths, "sexting" is almost unheard of. I understand that English culture has been all but eradicated due to historical invasions and settlings, and America took off with the worst of that brunt and turned it into somewhat of an interesting new-forged philosophy.

But one has to realise that, in America at least, the actions of this generation is going to define and direct the actions of generations to come. We do need to be careful with regards to child promiscuosity.

Keep spreading the message, girl!