Introduction
Modern teenagers often resort to risky behavior, which often does not correspond to their age. Such steps allow them to feel older and give them confidence. One of these endeavors is sexting, which is characterized as the exchange of suggestive content. Most often, this action takes place on various online platforms, social networks, and private chats. On the one hand, it may seem that sexting does not carry any negative connotation since photos, videos, and text materials are exchanged in personal correspondence. However, this harmless way of flirting can lead to such severe consequences as bullying or suicide. The main problem, in this case, is that teenagers are not guaranteed complete confidentiality of the transmitted content. Thus, this work explores how sexting among the younger generation is the result of an increased level of bullying and suicidal cases.
Discussion
First of all, it is necessary to gain an understanding of the phenomenon of sexting. Research defined it as “the sending, receiving, or forwarding of sexually explicit messages, images, or photos to others through electronic means, primarily between cellular phones” (Van Ouytsel et al. 446). Thus, for most people, it is a way of flirting and maintaining a romantic relationship. Statistics emphasize that “A 2021 meta-analysis of studies between 2016 and early 2020 found that 19 percent of teens had sent a sext, 35 percent had received one, and 15 percent had forwarded one without consent” (Chang para. 4). Based on these data, it is possible to gain an understanding of that quite a large part of the younger generation engages in this risky action.
On the one hand, it may seem to individuals that sending suggestive messages cannot incur any risks. However, sexting, the main negative feature of this phenomenon is the lack of confidence that the sent messages will only be with the recipient. Thus, young people face the risk that photo and video content may be forwarded to other users or made public to a larger audience. Moreover, in most cases, private messages are either not deleted from their correspondence or stored on the recipients’ devices.
It poses a risk to individuals, as people are not protected from hacking computers and phones. This aspect is because the device may fall into the wrong hands or may be hacked. In this case, the suggestive content that was intended for one person can be distributed to a large audience of Internet users. This is incredibly unsafe for teenagers, whose photos can be seen not only by students but also by parents and teachers, and strangers. Even though currently, there are legislative acts that prohibit the distribution of such content without consent, hackers and ordinary people continue to do it.
Thus, sexting harms the reputation of a teenager, but bullying and suicide can become the most serious and harmful consequences. Thus, this phenomenon is defined as “a form of violent behavior, expression, along with psychological and physical coercion against weaker individuals” (Hidayati et al. 2636). This behavior can lead to the development of multiple psychological abnormalities and the development of suicidal thoughts. A controversial aspect of this phenomenon is also the difference in the perception of sexting by boys and girls. So, often young men can be subjected to an adverse reaction from peers if they send photos or videos of a sexual nature. On the other hand, teenagers encourage boys if they are the recipients of this kind of message. Regarding girls, they can be bullied in both cases and seen as flighty, irresponsible, and frivolous.
Further, sexting can cause the formation of a negative image of teenagers and exposes them to the danger of becoming a victim of bullying. Thus, the mental health of the younger generation suffers first of all. Among the harmful consequences, loss of trust in people, a constant feeling of anxiety and excitement, and fear can be highlighted. All these aspects can develop into a more profound depressive state and affect the psychological well-being of adolescents. It is worth noting that these manifestations often occur in cases where messages, photos, and videos of a sexual nature were made public and distributed without the consent of one of the participants in the correspondence. In cases where individuals could assume this outcome or know about its possibility, depressive manifestations do not have such a strong reaction.
The most dangerous and concerning result of bullying by peers for sexting is suicidal tendencies in young people. Research showed that “13 % of sexting teens reported a suicide attempt in the last year, compared to only 3% of non-sexting kids” (Chang para. 2). In addition, it is emphasized that “the youth who had sexted were 5.27 times more likely to have attempted suicide and 3.37 times more likely to have contemplated suicide than those who had not sexted” (NCOSE para. 29). Thus, studies show that sexting has a direct relationship with attempts to commit suicide in adolescents. The main reason is increased peer pressure, humiliation, and constant stress.
Legislation and government acts are of particular importance in solving the problem of the publication of sexual materials by minors. At the same time, research underlined that “although an increasing number of states and countries have considered the issue of teenage sexting over the past decade, there is still a considered debate as to whether legislatures actually should enact sexting laws” (O’Connor et al. 221). It is worth noting that this rule applies not only to those to whom messages, photos, and videos are sent but also to those who send them. For teenagers, the punishment may be mandated supervision and deprivation of the right to use mobile devices. At the same time, for adult individuals, the measure of punishment is strikingly different. Thus, for adults who receive suggestive messages from minors, this action is considered a felony. To eradicate the issue, it is necessary to strengthen the legislative framework regarding the distribution of sexual photos. Moreover, it is important to spread awareness and educate teenagers about the dangers of sharing personal photos and videos on the Internet.
Conclusion
Therefore, based on the collected and analyzed information, this scientific paper concluded that there is a need for a deeper study of the topic of sexting among adolescents. This is because, although it is consensual or not, it can cause serious consequences. Hence, it can be the result of severe bullying by peers and affect the development of depressive disorders, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. Moreover, this scientific paper concluded that girls are more susceptible to an adverse reaction from the public about engagement in sexting than young people.
Works Cited
Chang, Elizabeth. “What Parents are Getting Wrong about Teens and Sexting.” The Washington Post, Web.
“Help & Information.”Bullies Out, no date, Web.
Hidayati, Eni, et al. “The Impact of Bullying on Teenagers Depression Level.” Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, vol. 17, 2021, p. 2636-9346.
NCOSE. “The Phenomenon of “Sexting” and Its Risks to Youth.” NCOSE, 2021, Web.
O’Connor, Kimberly, et al. “Sexting Legislation in the United States and Abroad: A Call for Uniformity.” International Journal of Cyber Criminology, vol. 11, no. 2, 2017, pp. 218-245.
Van Ouytsel, Joris, et al. “Sexting: Adolescents’ Perceptions of the Applications Used for, Motives for, and Consequences of Sexting.” Journal of Youth Studies, vol. 20, no. 4, 2017, pp. 446-470.