Whether legal or not, teens continue to sext
A survey of 800 teenagers over a four month period ending in September, 2009 provides percentages on teen sexting. The practice of sending nude or semi-nude photos by cell phone has caught on despite knowledge of possible consequences.
The PEW Internet and American Life Project reports that 4% of 12 to 17-year-olds have sexted, while 15% have received sext messages. Most of the pictures are sent to boyfriends and girlfriends, with a smaller percentage sent to non-partners. The number increases as the participants get older. 30% of 17-year-olds report receiving a sext message.
Photo by Todd Kravos (Flickr)
As of 2009, statistics indicate that 58% of 12-year-olds have a cell phone while 83% of 17-year-olds do. A common attitude about sexting is that it is no big deal – teens sext knowing there might be consequences, civil or criminal.
Learn more about the potential consequences of sexting and the serious penalties Phillip Alpert received.
