Does Sexting Make You Vulnerable to Exploitation?

The sexting phenomenon in our culture is not something we can just ignore. Research has indicated that about 7.1% of teens ages 10-17 have received a photo containing explicit content on their mobile devices. A survey released by Covenant Eyes and Josh McDowell Ministry in 2016 found that 66% of teens and young adults have received a sexually explicit image and 41% have sent one.

The dangers of sexting are numerous. According to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE), sexting creates vulnerability to social problems at work and school. Most images sent are shared with others over text or or are made available online. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) estimates that 88% of self-made sexually explicit images are "stolen" from their original upload location such as laptop webcams or phones. Even if photos are taken that do not include a face, they can still be traced through their phones metadata. Sexting greatly increases one's risk of sexual exploitation. Sending explicit images can create a negative dynamic allowing the requester to pressure, manipulate or coerce potential senders.

Here are three teen talking points for teens:

1. Never take images you would not want everyone to see.

2. If you forward a sexual picture of someone underage, you are as responsible for this image as the original sender.
3. Ensure the child/teen that you are a safe person to come to if explicit images are received. Explain the importance of reporting an incident immediately to a trusted adult prior to deleting the images.

Click HERE to learn more about this issue by downloading this free podcast entitled Does Sexting Make you Vulnerable to Exploitation?