Author: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Published: 6th Oct 2014 - Updated: 12th Nov 2016
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Sexting Publications
Summary: Study results show sexting may precede sexual intercourse and creates the idea sexting behavior is a credible sign of teenage sexual activity.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston say that sexting may be the new "normal" part of adolescent sexual development and is not strictly limited to at-risk teens. The findings, published in the journal Pediatrics, are from the first study on the relationship between teenage sexting, or sending sexually explicit images to another electronically, and future sexual activity.
The study results indicate that sexting may precede sexual intercourse in some cases and further cements the idea that sexting behavior is a credible sign of teenage sexual activity. Further, the researchers did not find a link between sexting and risky sexual behavior over time, which may suggest that sexting is becoming a part of growing up.
"We now know that teen sexting is fairly common," said Jeff Temple, an associate professor and psychologist at UTMB. "For instance, sexting may be associated with other typical adolescent behaviors such as substance use. Sexting is not associated with either good or poor mental well being."
"Despite this growing body of knowledge, all existing sexting research looks across samples of different groups of young people at one time, rather than following the same people over time, said Temple. "Because of this, it's unclear whether sexting comes before or after someone engages in sexual activity."
The findings detailed in this paper are part of an ongoing six-year investigation of an ethnically diverse group of adolescent students from Southeast Texas, led by Temple. The teens in the study periodically complete anonymous surveys detailing their history of sexting, sexual activity, and other behaviors throughout the six years.
Temple and a postdoctoral research fellow at UTMB, Hye Jeong Choi, examined data from the second and third years of their study to determine whether teen sexting predicted sexual activity one year later. They found that the odds of being sexually active as high school juniors was slightly higher for youth who sent a sext, or naked picture of themselves, the previous year, compared to teens who did not sext. They did not find sexting to be linked with later risky sexual behaviors.
This study is also among the first to consider the differences between actively sending a nude picture versus asking or being asked for a nude picture. They found that actually sending a sext was the important part of the link between sexting and sexual behavior, as opposed to merely asking or being asked for a nude picture.
"Being a passive recipient of or asking for a sext does not likely require the same level of comfort with one's sexuality," said Choi. "Sending a nude photo may communicate to the recipient a level of openness to sexual activity, promote a belief that sex is expected, and serve to increase sexual advances, all of which may increase the chance of future sexual behavior. Sexting may serve as a gateway behavior to actual sexual behaviors or as a way to indicate one's readiness to take intimacy to the next level."
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Justice.
Post to Twitter Add to Facebook
| Latest Sexting Publications | |
|---|---|
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to Sexting that includes: | |
 | Sexting Frequency Estimates by Youth Under 18 Years of Age Research reveals sizable number of people under 18 engage in sexting, electronically sharing sexually explicit material, with estimated 1 in 7 sending sexts and 1 in 4 receiving them. Publish Date: 26th Feb 2018 - Updated: 16th Mar 2018 |
| Teenagers Still Sexting Naked Selfies to Each Other New study confirms substantial numbers of teens are sending and receiving explicit sexual images via cellphones. Publish Date: 8th Oct 2014 - Updated: 27th Nov 2014 |
| Teens: Hormones, Sexting, and Cellphones Study results show sexting may precede sexual intercourse and creates the idea sexting behavior is a credible sign of teenage sexual activity. Publish Date: 6th Oct 2014 - Updated: 12th Nov 2016 |
1Adult Dating: Local Women & Men
Search for local females and males.
2Am I Gay? Questions to Ask
Think you may be gay or bisexual?
3Glossary of Sexuality Terms
Definitions of sexual terms & acronyms.
4LGBTQ+ Pride Flags
Symbols of Identity and Inclusion.
5Adult FriendFinder Dating for Adults
Find like minded people locally.
• Submissions: Send us your coming events and LGBTQ related news stories.
• Report Errors: Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.
• (APA): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. (2014, October 6). Teens: Hormones, Sexting, and Cellphones. SexualDiversity.org. Retrieved February 3, 2026 from www.sexualdiversity.org/sexuality/adolescent/sexting/24.php
• Permalink: <a href="https://www.sexualdiversity.org/sexuality/adolescent/sexting/24.php">Teens: Hormones, Sexting, and Cellphones</a>