Technology has revolutionized interpersonal relationships in many ways, including sexuality. Due to the interactivity that exists on the Internet and the accessibility of current devices, it is increasingly popular to experience sexuality through technology. Sexting is a recent phenomenon. It has not yet been adequately researched. The term sexting was first used in 2005 by the Daily Telegraph, to unify the terms “sex” and “texting” and became an official word in 2009. Gordon-Messer, et. al. (2013) and Döring (2014) have pointed out that the term sexting came from the practice of sex or sex activity related through text messages (texting).
CyberPsychlogists have tried to define the term. It is said that Sexting refers to the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photos, images or videos via a cellphone, computer, or any digital device. Sexting can include photos and videos containing nudity or showing simulated sex acts, but can also include text messages, private messages, or emails that discuss or propose sex acts. Many experts say it can be part of sexual addiction and have a significant impact on daily functioning.
Sexting is typically carried out deliberately, with people sending sexts about themselves. But sometimes, sext messages that contain sexually explicit material about someone else can be sent, in some cases when the subject of the sexts has not given consent. Sexts can also be sent to someone who does not wish to receive sexually explicit material.
However, currently, the practice of sexting is not limited to messages since it can include videos, audio, photos, voice calls and video calls. Mitchell and others (2012) and Dake, et. al. (2012) suggested that young people are those who practice sexting the most and it has been related to the use of social networks. Lenhart (2009) defined sexting as sending ‘‘sexually suggestive, nude, or nearly nude photos or videos of yourself’’. Its significance as a form of romantic communication is evidenced by the fact that around 75 per cent of young adults claim to have engaged in sexting. He has said that they are more likely to send sexually explicit texts than to send nude pictures. However, the definition covers sending both photos and messages.
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Sexting Addiction
Sexting addiction has become more widespread. In fact, some estimates suggest that online porn addiction and sexting comprise the most common subtype of internet addiction. Sexting can be a symptom or manifestation of sexual addiction, which is an illness like other addictions and causes destructive consequences. For some, sexting is the primary behaviour involved in sexual addiction. For others, an all-consuming interest in pornography, sexual encounters with sex workers, pathological infidelity, or cybersex relationships can be the main focus of the addiction.
Sexual addiction is related to obsessive and compulsive thoughts and actions, and the inability to control behavior, even when the addiction is destroying finances, self-esteem, a career, and even family relationships. Similar to other addictions, sexual addiction is progressive in nature. This means that the person who suffers from sexual addiction will spend more and more time and energy engaging in the specific behaviours related to their addiction. In addition, sex addicts often seek more intense experiences as the addiction progresses in order to achieve the same “high” they once got from more benign activities.
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Signs of Sexting Addiction
Certain people are more likely than others to develop a problem with sexting, including those with:
- Low self-esteem
- Distorted body image
- Untreated sexual dysfunction
- Another type of sexual addiction
As with all addictions, sexting becomes a problem if it interferes with our daily activities and has a negative impact on our personal or professional life. Some researchers questioned sexting as a risky behaviour since it is usually a common practice for young people. However, it is considered a risk factor since, although it could be shared privately and a person of trust, the intimate material can reach third parties, either by intentional or unintentional dissemination, so there is a vulnerability of its privacy, exclusion, work/academic consequences, and intimidation, with consequences of feelings of guilt and shame, depression, among others, including suicide.
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Studies related to sexting
Although there are more studies regarding sexting, its research is still very limited. Several authors point out that more research is necessary to know the impacts and consequences since it could be constituted as a risk behaviour associated with different problems, such as risky sexual behaviours (Leung & Lee, 2012; Mitchell and others, 2012).
One of the main problems that have been found is that studies of sexting have focused on the consequences and not on the behaviour itself. One of the factors that have a greater relation is the cybernetic harassment, nevertheless, some authors analyze them like the same concept, reason why it is important to analyze to the conduct and not in its possible consequences (Dake and others, 2012).
It is important to note that sexting is seen as a voluntary act while cyberbullying is something involuntary (Mitchell and others, 2012). For example, it was found that depression is not related to sexting as a consequence but it is related to cyber victimization(Mitchell and others, 2012). Sexting is a risk factor for cyber victimization since the intimate material can be used to blackmail the victim or cause damage through its diffusion.
The relationship between risk behaviours in young people may be mediated by impulsivity. Impulsiveness has been related to sexting as well as other risk factors such as addictions and suicide. Deepening the explanations and consequences will be able to clarify modern risk behaviors and it will be possible to deepen in its prevention and intervention.
Suggestions
Sexting is one subdivision of Cyberpsychology and with the growing literature on the area, more epidemiological research in the future should be done to explain these mechanisms.
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