Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that more than “half of teens have been asked to send a nude photo of themselves to someone, and 31% had requested a naked picture to be sent to them.”
This should not only be a wake-up call to parents, but Youth Pastors need to be in the know. This is a trend that has only increased over the years and needs to be addressed.
The attitude of “kids will be kids” is not an appropriate response to this phenomenon, not to mention the harmful effects that will be carried by an entire generation.
“Nearly 30% of U.S. teenagers are sexting, sending nude photos via email or text, according to a study that shows the behavior is more common than previously thought.”
While 30% of U.S. teens are sexting and sending nude photos, you’ll find statistics that show something even more troubling.
Although the photo exchanges and requests seem to be a two-way street, girls are clearly not as willing to participate.
“Almost all of the girls that were asked to send a sext were bothered at least a little bit and over half were bothered a lot or a great deal, and yet some of them are still sending it.”
As a father of three daughters, these kind of findings make me uneasy. Our world is being polluted with the over sexualization of women (and men?). With things like the Lingerie Football League and music videos that portray women as sex starved flesh, should we be surprised these girls feel pressured to comply? Every media medium treats this kind of behavior as normal, and what teenage girl doesn’t want to be normal?
We need to talk about the moral implications and damage that sexting does with our Church youth — girls and boys.
Thoughts?
[via National Post | Image via Tricia]
@PaulSteinbrueck says
Eric, thanks for bringing attention to this new research. It’s something parents and youth pastors need to be aware of and have conversations with their kids about regularly.
Adam Shields says
Not to minimize the issue. But there are some pretty big caveats that haven’t been in any of the news reports I have seen.
One, this is a study of a little under 1000 students from a particular area in Texas. (I have seen reported that it was Galveston and Houston. The University is in Galveston, so I think it is Houston students).
The bigger problem is that this is only looking at 17-19 year olds and all of the reports then suggest that these numbers are for ‘teens’ would would include students from 13-19.
Also this was not a random sample of students. The Journal Pediatrics earlier this year did a national random survey and found that only 1% of teens had sent a sext and only 7% had received one. That is still too high, but it is way lower than what this study suggests.
While I think that pornography and sexting are real problems. I also want to note that sexual activity, pregnancy and most other measures of sexual activity in teens are significantly down and most of the measures peaked around 1990.
Eric Dye says
I think measuring teen sexual activity is hardly a science, and considering the art and culture most teens absorb, I find it hard to believe sexual activity (I wonder how ‘sexual activity’ is defined) is “significantly down.”
Great insight, Adam — thank you!
Marcus Williamson says
:/ As great as technology is this is the other side and its dark and sad. It’ll only get worse as technology becomes more and more available and more more advanced. I fully agree with telling our children about this, but not only telling but showing them the right way to “live” ya know. I believe creating healthy environments and dare say discipline type environments help for sure. It won’t clean everything obviously but I believe that’ll help. And praying def helps 🙂
Eric Dye says
Agreed. Good call, Marcus.
Josh Wagner says
To me, this is the Church’s, as a whole, fault. We don’t like to talk about sex, so people find out about it from the media or peers. The only message we get from the Church about sex is “Don’t ’till you are married.” As if that is going to actually prevent what goes on. The Church needs to be open and honest about this, and then we might start making headway.
Eric Dye says
I think you’re on to something there …
Mitchell Karr says
I am 17 years old and in high school, so I have been around my fair share of teenage pregnancies and have seen the detrimental effects that it has on people.
My problem with sexting, other than with it being a form of pornography and being illegal, is that it often leads to something else. Many of the teenage pregnancy cases within my school began with sexting and, after liking what they saw, decided to meet up for some “fun.” I think you all know what I mean by that. Accidents happened and that in turn led to a pregnancy for a few individuals.
Also, I agree with Josh that the Church needs to do something more. For too long the Church has sidestepped tough issues like sex, even though it effects literally everyone. The Bible talks about it a ton, so why shouldn’t the Church? That’s just my two cents.
Eric Dye says
Great comments and insights, Mitchell — thanks for sharing! I’m glad you weighed-in on this issue. 🙂