“Sexting” and SB 1266: Why the Law Matters for Families and Youth Sexuality: Developing a healthy sexual identity and
Profile of a Sexter:
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Two times as likely to be older teens
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Spends more time online per week than their peers (31.7 hours, compared to 26.8 hours)
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Active users of online social sites such as myspace and Facebook
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More likely to have been bullied (30% vs. 19% for teens overall)
awareness is crucial in order to make good choices and avoid problems related to sexuality. Parents and communities need to create settings that allow youth to develop their attitudes and behaviors in healthy ways. Because cell phones create independence and allow youth to experiment with intimacy or new relationships, they may also be a way for youth to experiment with sexuality, which could result in sexting. Sexting is a sign that youth do not have a healthy understanding of sexuality, or healthy ways to express their sexual interests and feelings.
No differences between boys and girls in receiving; girls are nearly two times more likely to be senders.
Achievement: Over the teenage years youth explore activities, areas of study, or future work in order to figure out what they may want to do as an adult. At the same time, achievement can be a source of competition or status. Cell phones may be a way teens feel that they have status (Which cell phone do you have? Is your phone cool enough?). Sexting can be a way for some teens to show off or gain status by bragging about the number of photos that they may have.
Sexting and Adolescent Development There are five basic developmental issues in adolescence: the development of identity, autonomy, intimacy, sexuality, and achievement. How can we understand sexting in light of these issues?
Identity: During the teenage years youth ask: “Who am
Coded Messaging
I?” Expressions of identity are normal and important for teens. Young people make sense of who they are and what is expected of them as they learn out how they “fit in.” Cell phones can be used for social networking and exploring or expressing an identity among peers: it can be part of normal identity development.
Teens may use codes in email and text messages that are unfamiliar to parents. Acronyms about parents:
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Autonomy or independence: Teenagers start to become more and more independent from parents – they learn to think for themselves, and make their own decisions. Cell phones may allow parents more access to teens when they are apart (through phone calls or texting); on the other hand, cell phones also have the potential to allow more independence: parents cannot fully control how teens use their phones. As teens develop independence, in order to make good independent decisions they need flexibility along with clear expectations and limits.
CD9 (code 9, parents around) KPC (keeping parents clueless) MOS (mom over shoulder) PAL (parents are listening) PAW (parents are watching) PIR (parents in room)
Acronyms used in sexting:
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Intimacy: During the teenage years relationships at home begin to change, and youth begin to develop relationships outside the family. Intimacy does not only refer to dating – but also re-adjusted family relationships. The parent–teen relationship shifts from dependence on parents’ authority to one based on mutual trust and understanding. Cell phones allow teens to experiment with intimacy. They can explore different types of relationships including friendships, dating, changing relations with parents – all through texting and cell phone use.
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GNOC (get naked on camera) GYPO (get your pants off) IWSN (I want sex now) NIFOC (nude in front of camera)