Research On Sexting Has Focussed On Youth

Background: The transmission of sexual images and messages via mobile phone or other electronic media (sexting) has been associated with a variety of mostly negative social and behavioural consequences. Research on sexting has focussed on youth, with limited data across demographics and with little known about the sharing of private sexual images and messages with third parties. Methods: The present study examines sexting attitudes and behaviours, including sending, receiving, and sharing of sexual messages and images, across gender, age, and sexual orientation. A total of 5805 single adults were included in the study (2830 women; 2975 men), ranging in age from 21 to 75+ years. Results: Overall 21% of participants reported sending, and 28% reporting receiving sexually explicit messages via text message. This was the highest proportion of respondents younger than 65.Sexting.ink While 73.2% reported discomfort with unauthorised sharing sexts beyond their intended recipients, 22.9% reported sharing sext images with others (on average, with 3.17 close friends). Participants expressed concern about the possible consequences of sexting on their careers, social lives, and psychosocial well-being. Conclusion: Views on the impact of sexting on reputation suggest a contemporary struggle to reconcile digital eroticism with real-world consequences. These findings call for further research into the negotiations of sexting rewards, risks, motivations, and rewards.