Prevalence, correlates and attitudes towards sexting among young people in Melbourne, Australia
Timothy H. Yeung A B , Danielle R. Horyniak A C , Alyce M. Vella A , Margaret E. Hellard A C and Megan S. C. Lim A C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Burnet Institute, Centre for Population Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
B The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital Department of Medicine, Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia.
C Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: lim@burnet.edu.au
Sexual Health 11(4) 332-339 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14032
Submitted: 13 February 2014 Accepted: 2 July 2014 Published: 4 August 2014
Abstract
Background: ‘Sexting’ is the exchange of sexually explicit material via communication technologies. Despite significant media attention, there has been little examination of sexting in the Australian setting. This study aimed to provide insight into sexting behaviours and attitudes among young Australians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of people aged 16–29 years attending a music festival (n = 1372). Correlates of lifetime sexting were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Attitudes towards and perceived consequences of sexting were explored in focus group discussions (FGDs) with 39 young people. Results: Forty percent of survey participants reported that they had ever sent or received a sext (48% of males, 36% of females), most commonly with a regular partner. Lower levels of education, greater recreational spending, greater number of sexual partners, inconsistent condom use with a regular partner, identifying as being nonheterosexual and risky alcohol consumption were all independent correlates of sexting. FGD participants made a clear distinction between consensual creating, sending and possessing of sexts, and nonconsensual sharing of sexts. Positive outcomes of consensual sexting included flirting and sexual experimentation, with sexting perceived as a normalised aspect of sexual interaction. Conclusions: Sexting is a common and normalised practice among young Australians. Our findings highlight the distinction in young people’s minds between consensual sexting and the nonconsensual sharing or circulation of sexts, which is not currently well recognised in sexuality education, the media or the law.
Additional keywords: behaviours, communication, Internet, mobile phone, sexually explicit images, text messaging.
References
[1] Walker SJ. Sexting and young people: a qualitative study. Masters thesis, University of Melbourne; 2012.[2] Gong L, Hoffman A. Sexting and slut-shaming: why prosecution of teen self-sexters harms women. Georget J Gend Law 2012; 13 577–89.
[3] Albury K, Crawford K, Byron P, Mathews B. Young people and sexting in Australia: ethics, representation and the law. Sydney: ARC Centre for Creative Industries and Innovation/Journalism and Media Research Centre, The University of New South Wales; 2013. Available online at: http://www.cci.edu.au/sites/default/files/Young_People_And_Sexting_Final.pdf [verified 15 July 2014].
[4] National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl.com. Sex and tech: results from a survey of teens and young adults. Washington DC: The National Campaign; 2008. Available online at: http://thenationalcampaign.org/sites/default/files/resource-primary-download/sex_and_tech_summary.pdf [verified 21 July 2014].
[5] Associated Press-MTV. Digital abuse survey. Menlo Park: Knowledge Networks; 2009. Available online at: http://surveys.ap.org/data/KnowledgeNetworks/AP_Digital_Abuse_Topline_092209.pdf [verified 29 April 2013].
[6] Ringrose J, Gill R, Livingstone S, Harvey L. A qualitative study of children, young people and ‘sexting’. London: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; 2012. Available online at: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/resourcesforprofessionals/sexualabuse/sexting-research-report_wdf89269.pdf [verified 27 May 2013].
[7] Powell A. ‘Safe sext’? Young people, technology and sexual violence. DVRCV Quarterly 2010; 1–5.
[8] Strassberg DS, McKinnon RK, Sustaíta MA, Rullo J. Sexting by high school students: an exploratory and descriptive. Arch Sex Behav 2013; 42 15–21.
| Sexting by high school students: an exploratory and descriptive.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22674035PubMed |
[9] Fisher S, Sauter A, Slobodniuk L, Young C on behalf of Salvation Army Oasis Hunter. Sexting in Australia: the legal and social ramifications. Melbourne: Parliament of Victoria Law Reform Committee Sexting Inquiry; 2012. Available online at: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/lawrefrom/isexting/subs/S07_-_Salvation_Army_Oasis_Hunter.pdf [verified 15 March 2013].
[10] Reyns BW, Burek MW, Henson B, Fisher BS. The unintended consequences of digital technology: exploring the relationship between sexting and cybervictimization. J Crim Justice 2013; 36 1–17.
| The unintended consequences of digital technology: exploring the relationship between sexting and cybervictimization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[11] Celizic M. Her teen committed suicide over ‘sexting’. New York: Today, NBC News; 2009. Available online at: http://www.today.com/id/29546030#.UZBeV8qweHQ [verified 15 May 2013].
[12] Inbar M. ‘Sexting’ bullying cited in teen’s suicide. New York: Today, NBC News; 2009. Available online at: http://www.today.com/id/34236377/ns/today-today_news/t/sexting-bullying-cited-teens-suicide/#.UZBd5cqweHQ [verified 13 May 2013].
[13] Meacham A. Sexting-related bullying cited in Hillsborough teen’s suicide. Tampa Bay Times, 27 November 2009. Available online at: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/sexting-related-bullying-cited-in-hillsborough-teens-suicide/1054895 [verified 26 May 2013].
[14] Tomazin F. Children in crisis over ‘sexting’ rise. The Age, 30 September 2012. Available online at: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/children-in-crisis-over-sexting-rise-20120929-26sjk.html [verified 14 March 2013].
[15] Ferguson CJ. Sexting behaviors among young Hispanic women: incidence and association with other high-risk sexual behaviors. Psychiatr Q 2011; 82 239–43.
| Sexting behaviors among young Hispanic women: incidence and association with other high-risk sexual behaviors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21153441PubMed |
[16] Thomas K. Teen online & wireless safety survey. Atlanta: Cox Communications; 2009. Available online at: http://ksdresources.pbworks.com/f/2009_teen_survey_internet_and_wireless_safety%255B1%255D.pdf [verified 29 April 2013].
[17] Lenhart A. Teens and sexting. Washington DC: Pew Internet; 2009. Available online at: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Teens-and-Sexting.aspx [verified 12 March 2013].
[18] Dake JA, Price JH, Maziarz L, Ward B. Prevalence and correlates of sexting behavior in adolescents. Am J Sex Educ 2012; 7 1–15.
| Prevalence and correlates of sexting behavior in adolescents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[19] Klettke B, Hallford DJ, Mellor DJ. Sexting prevalence and correlates: a systematic literature review. Clin Psychol Rev 2014; 34 44–53.
| Sexting prevalence and correlates: a systematic literature review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24370714PubMed |
[20] Mitchell KJ, Finkelhor D, Jones LM, Wolak J. Prevalence and characteristics of youth sexting: a national study. Pediatrics 2012; 129 13–20.
| Prevalence and characteristics of youth sexting: a national study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22144706PubMed |
[21] Walker S, Sanci L, Temple-Smith M. Sexting: young women’s and men’s views on its nature and origins. J Adolesc Health 2013; 52 697–701.
| Sexting: young women’s and men’s views on its nature and origins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23587784PubMed |
[22] Farvid P, Braun V. ‘Most of us guys are raring to go anytime, anyplace, anywhere’: male and female sexuality in Cleo and Cosmo. Sex Roles 2006; 55 295–310.
| ‘Most of us guys are raring to go anytime, anyplace, anywhere’: male and female sexuality in Cleo and Cosmo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[23] Szymanski DM, Moffitt LB, Carr ER. Sexual objectification of women: advances to theory and research. J Couns Psychol 2011; 39 6–38.
| Sexual objectification of women: advances to theory and research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[24] Benotsch EG, Snipes DJ, Martin AM, Bull SS. Sexting, substance use, and sexual risk behavior in young adults. J Adolesc Health 2013; 52 307–13.
| Sexting, substance use, and sexual risk behavior in young adults.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23299017PubMed |
[25] Henderson L, Morgan E. Sexting and sexual relationships among teens and young adults. McNair Scholars Res J 2011; 7 9
[26] Rice E, Rhoades H, Winetrobe H, Sanchez M, Montoya J, Plant A, et al Sexually explicit cell phone messaging associated with sexual risk among adolescents. Pediatrics 2012; 130 667–73.
| Sexually explicit cell phone messaging associated with sexual risk among adolescents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22987882PubMed |
[27] Temple JR, Paul JA, van den Berg P, Le VD, McElhany A, Temple BW. Teen sexting and its association with sexual behaviors. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012; 166 828–33.
| Teen sexting and its association with sexual behaviors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22751805PubMed |
[28] Lim MSC, Bowring AL, Gold J, Aitken C, Hellard ME. Trends in sexual behavior, testing, and knowledge in young people; 2006–2011. Sex Transm Dis 2012; 39 831–4.
| Trends in sexual behavior, testing, and knowledge in young people; 2006–2011.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[29] Young G, Whitty M. Progressive embodiment within cyberspace: considering the psychological impact of the supermorphic persona. Philos Psychol 2011; 24 537–60.
| Progressive embodiment within cyberspace: considering the psychological impact of the supermorphic persona.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[30] Doerr-Stevens C. Building fictional ethos: analysing the rhetorical strategies of persona design for online role play. E-Learn Digital Media 2011; 8 327–42.
| Building fictional ethos: analysing the rhetorical strategies of persona design for online role play.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[31] Papadopoulos L. Sexualisation of young people: review. London: Home Office; 2010. Available online at: http://collectiveshout.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sexualisation-young-people-1.pdf [verified 30 September 2013].
[32] Rush E, La Nauze A. Corporate paedophilia: sexualisation of children in Australia. Discussion paper Australia Institute no. 90. Deakin, ACT: Australia Institute; 2006.
[33] Karaian L. Policing ‘sexting’: responsibilization, respectability and sexual subjectivity in child protection/crime prevention responses to teenagers’ digital sexual expression. Theor Criminol 2013;
| Policing ‘sexting’: responsibilization, respectability and sexual subjectivity in child protection/crime prevention responses to teenagers’ digital sexual expression.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[34] Chin HB, Sipe TA, Elder R, Mercer SL, Chattopadhyay SK, Verughese J, et al The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk-reduction and abstinence education interventions to prevent or reduce the risk of adolescent pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus, and sexually transmitted infections: two systematic reviews for the guide to community preventive services. Am J Prev Med 2012; 42 272–94.
| The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk-reduction and abstinence education interventions to prevent or reduce the risk of adolescent pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus, and sexually transmitted infections: two systematic reviews for the guide to community preventive services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22341164PubMed |
[35] Jones RK, Biddlecom AE. Exposure to and views of information about sexual abstinence among older teens. Am J Sex Educ 2011; 6 381–95.
| Exposure to and views of information about sexual abstinence among older teens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[36] Stanger-Hall KF, Hall DW. Abstinence-only education and teen pregnancy rates: why we need comprehensive sex education in the U.S. PLoS ONE 2011; 6 e24658
| Abstinence-only education and teen pregnancy rates: why we need comprehensive sex education in the U.S.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsVCju7rE&md5=ea9d2af895a815837a7a7c9a56adca59CAS | 22022362PubMed |
[37] Bauhoff S. Systematic self-report bias in health data: impact on estimating cross-sectional and treatment effects (report). Health Serv Outcomes Res Methodol 2011; 11 44–53.
| Systematic self-report bias in health data: impact on estimating cross-sectional and treatment effects (report).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
