Sexting is simply the act of sending messages or photographs that are sexually explicit, primarily between mobile phones. Sexting can be greatly attributed to the advancement in technology thus enabling new forms of social interaction. The term “sexting” was first popularized in 2005 by media organizations and news and is a blend of the words sex and texting ("P@Radox Times » Negative Effects Of Sexting On Society And The Legal System"). Texting is meant in the wide sense of sending a text message, perhaps with images. This illegal act has significantly increased due to the increasing usage of cell phones and texting in the contemporary world. Sexting is a huge issue, most teenagers might find it harmless, but they hardly realize that once they send a photo, it doesn’t go away. To make matters worse, it can get around to individuals who they didn’t want it to ("Text Bullying/Sexting").

Sexting has a huge impact on the society. We’ve seen most teenage girls, who, after breaking up with their significant other, have had their sex tapes and naked pictures circulate on the internet. This situation can be difficult to overcome socially and has potential to be very traumatic. In fact, this form of bullying brought Jessica Logan, an American teenager to commit suicide. However, Sexting doesn’t only take the form of bullying. Today, more girls have opted to portray themselves in provocative manners in social media. This act has been seen as both the impact of pornography in tarnishing women’s own expectations of themselves and demonstrating the openness of a society in which women can present and express themselves and evoke issues of social pressure ("Sexting: Impact On Teenage Girls | Wikigender").

Teens can be impacted by sexting both legally and emotionally.  Some of the emotional consequences include: the end of friendships, bullying, embarrassment and humiliation, objectification, guilt and shame and suicidal feelings. Legal consequences include: receiving criminal charges for child pornography, exposing parents to legal consequences, risk of having to enter foster homes, and risk of being registered as a sexual offender (Gordon).

Teenagers under 18 can receive a misdemeanor if they send or receive text messages with other minors that include sexual images or nudes. Currently, it’s a felony for kids to send sexts and violators could end up on the sex offender registry of their state. With 20% to 30% of teenagers today sexting, it’s paramount that we educate teens on the dangers associated with this vice. Nevertheless, we still have the 70 to 80 percent that makes wise decisions when it comes to sexting (Cassada).

Work Cited

"P@Radox Times » Negative Effects Of Sexting On Society And The Legal System". Paradoxtimes.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

Cassada, Raychelle. "The Dangers Of Teen Sexting". HealthProfs.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

"Text Bullying/Sexting". Texting-impact.blogspot.co.ke. N.p., 2017. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

"Sexting: Impact On Teenage Girls | Wikigender". Wikigender.org. N.p., 2015. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

Gordon, Sherri. "Sexting: What You And Your Child Need To Know". Verywell. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.