Did you know that more than half of American teens have been asked to send a “sext.”  This information is from nearly 1000 high school students.

Sexting is sending explicit electronic messages.  In all, 28% of the teens reported sending photos of themselves naked via text or email.  31% reported asking others to send a sext.  More boys than girls ask someone to sext them.  More girls than boys report having been asked to sext.

Those who send sext messages are more likely to be engaging in sex.  82% of boys who sext are engaging in sex compared to 77% of girls.

I discuss this issue with my teenaged patients.  What is sent by email/text may go where the sender does not intend. “Go viral” or “go to future employer”– Don’t both of these sound frightening?