Sex, drugs and anxiety: the consequences of sexting in teens
You take a look at your teen's smart phone and see a text message appear on the screen ... You notice with amazement that it is a sexto. A series of questions then come to your mind: Is this normal? Does this mean that my child necessarily has sex?
The e sexting, or exchanging sexual messages, photos or videos via technological devices, is relatively common among adolescents. In fact, one in four youngsters receives sextos and one in seven young people send them.
Some researchers have found links between sexting and other factors such as sexual activity, substance use (eg drug and alcohol use) and emotional health problems. Others have found no evidence of these associations.
In our study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, we sought to resolve this uncertainty.
Using results from 23 studies published between 2012 and 2018 among 41,723 young people aged 12 to 17, we conducted a series of meta-analyzes to examine the links between sexting and sexual activity, multiple sexual partners , contraception, delinquent behavior, internalizing problems (eg, anxiety and depression), alcohol and drug use, and smoking.
Sex, alcohol and mental health
Our results reveal that young sexting is four times more likely to have had sex before. They are also five times more likely to have multiple sexual partners and half as likely to use contraception.
A correlation between sexting and alcohol consumption does not mean that one causes the other. (Shutterstock)
By examining the links between sexting, delinquent behavior, and substance use, we found that sexting youth were also 2.5 times more likely to have delinquent behaviors such as sexting, delinquent behavior, and substance use. theft and property damage.
In addition, the odds of drinking alcohol were four times higher and they were about three times
more likely to have used drugs, such as marijuana, and smoked cigarettes.
Given the increase in mental health problems over the last decade and claims that digital technology is leading to a deterioration in youth mental health, our team also examined the link between sexting and mental health problems. Mental Health.
We found that youth who were sent sexting were about twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The context is important
The results of this study can be alarming for some. However, some considerations are of crucial importance
before labeling sexting as dangerous or "at risk" behavior among youth.
First, the results are correlations. Although sexting is related to sexual behavior and mental health factors, correlation studies do not provide evidence to suggest that these types of messages are the cause of risky or poorer mental health behaviors.
Second, sexting risks may vary depending on the situation in which it is performed. The context is important. For example, surveys of undergraduate students reveal that sextos that are sent in the context of a committed relationship have more positive impacts
and fewer negative impacts than sextos sent as part of casual relationships. .
Sexting can also improve the emotional and sexual aspects of a relationship between partners.
The younger the child, the more risky
As adolescents age, romantic and sexual exploration becomes an increasingly normative and healthy part of development. We therefore examined whether our conclusions varied according to the age of the participants. We found that the links between sexting
and many risk behaviors were stronger in younger teens than in older teens.
These results support research that shows that sexual activity is more strongly related to risk behaviors among young people.
Openly talking about sex with young people is essential. (Shutterstock)
In terms of gender, we found that, in general, the results did not differ according to whether the youth who sextented were girls or boys. This observation is consistent with our previous research, which indicates no difference by gender in the prevalence of different forms of sexting.
Education: the key to security
The sexto, like other aspects of adolescent and adolescent development, is not risk-free. But, just like sexuality, sexting in teenagers is common. Yet, sexuality is often a taboo subject between parents and their children.
In fact, a study that measured mothers' intention to talk about sexual health to their children revealed that 71% of them had not talked to their teenagers about sexuality and that 49% had no intention of do it.
So, how can we help young people to be safe, online and offline?
The lack of sex education at home requires comprehensive sex education programs in schools. This includes teaching sexting to teens.
Rather than condemning the sexting act among young people, a more proactive approach could focus on speaking openly about sexuality with them and educating them about how to be responsible digital citizens with a focus on Ethical, respectful and safe online interactions.
* If a parent or teenager is concerned that videos and images are being distributed without their consent, if they receive unsolicited sexting, or if they are subject to sextortion, they should immediately report their concerns to the local police. In Canada, you can also visit needhelpnow.ca
and send a report to Cybertip.ca. In the United States, visit Stopbullying.org.
* * * * *
This text first appeared on the French-Canadian website of The Conversation . Reproduced with permission.
The e sexting, or exchanging sexual messages, photos or videos via technological devices, is relatively common among adolescents. In fact, one in four youngsters receives sextos and one in seven young people send them.
Some researchers have found links between sexting and other factors such as sexual activity, substance use (eg drug and alcohol use) and emotional health problems. Others have found no evidence of these associations.
In our study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, we sought to resolve this uncertainty.
Using results from 23 studies published between 2012 and 2018 among 41,723 young people aged 12 to 17, we conducted a series of meta-analyzes to examine the links between sexting and sexual activity, multiple sexual partners , contraception, delinquent behavior, internalizing problems (eg, anxiety and depression), alcohol and drug use, and smoking.
Sex, alcohol and mental health
Our results reveal that young sexting is four times more likely to have had sex before. They are also five times more likely to have multiple sexual partners and half as likely to use contraception.
A correlation between sexting and alcohol consumption does not mean that one causes the other. (Shutterstock)
By examining the links between sexting, delinquent behavior, and substance use, we found that sexting youth were also 2.5 times more likely to have delinquent behaviors such as sexting, delinquent behavior, and substance use. theft and property damage.
In addition, the odds of drinking alcohol were four times higher and they were about three times
more likely to have used drugs, such as marijuana, and smoked cigarettes.
Given the increase in mental health problems over the last decade and claims that digital technology is leading to a deterioration in youth mental health, our team also examined the link between sexting and mental health problems. Mental Health.
We found that youth who were sent sexting were about twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The context is important
The results of this study can be alarming for some. However, some considerations are of crucial importance
before labeling sexting as dangerous or "at risk" behavior among youth.
First, the results are correlations. Although sexting is related to sexual behavior and mental health factors, correlation studies do not provide evidence to suggest that these types of messages are the cause of risky or poorer mental health behaviors.
Second, sexting risks may vary depending on the situation in which it is performed. The context is important. For example, surveys of undergraduate students reveal that sextos that are sent in the context of a committed relationship have more positive impacts
and fewer negative impacts than sextos sent as part of casual relationships. .
Sexting can also improve the emotional and sexual aspects of a relationship between partners.
The younger the child, the more risky
As adolescents age, romantic and sexual exploration becomes an increasingly normative and healthy part of development. We therefore examined whether our conclusions varied according to the age of the participants. We found that the links between sexting
and many risk behaviors were stronger in younger teens than in older teens.
These results support research that shows that sexual activity is more strongly related to risk behaviors among young people.
Openly talking about sex with young people is essential. (Shutterstock)
In terms of gender, we found that, in general, the results did not differ according to whether the youth who sextented were girls or boys. This observation is consistent with our previous research, which indicates no difference by gender in the prevalence of different forms of sexting.
Education: the key to security
The sexto, like other aspects of adolescent and adolescent development, is not risk-free. But, just like sexuality, sexting in teenagers is common. Yet, sexuality is often a taboo subject between parents and their children.
In fact, a study that measured mothers' intention to talk about sexual health to their children revealed that 71% of them had not talked to their teenagers about sexuality and that 49% had no intention of do it.
So, how can we help young people to be safe, online and offline?
The lack of sex education at home requires comprehensive sex education programs in schools. This includes teaching sexting to teens.
Rather than condemning the sexting act among young people, a more proactive approach could focus on speaking openly about sexuality with them and educating them about how to be responsible digital citizens with a focus on Ethical, respectful and safe online interactions.
* If a parent or teenager is concerned that videos and images are being distributed without their consent, if they receive unsolicited sexting, or if they are subject to sextortion, they should immediately report their concerns to the local police. In Canada, you can also visit needhelpnow.ca
and send a report to Cybertip.ca. In the United States, visit Stopbullying.org.
* * * * *
This text first appeared on the French-Canadian website of The Conversation . Reproduced with permission.