What is Sexting? Sexting is sending sexually explicit messages, pictures and/or video between cell phones. There can be legal consequences to sexting because a person can be charged with possession of child pornography and face criminal charges. Sexting can be a form of cyberbullying. Sexting statistics: Almost 40% of all teens have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages 29% of adolescents ages 14 to 24 years old that have admitted to sexting have sent messages to people they have never met, but know from the internet About 70% of teenage boys and girls that sext typically do it with their girlfriend or *boyfriend 61% of all sexters that have sent nude pictures say they were pressured to do so at least once. 17% of those that receive sexting messages share them with others and 55% of those share the message with more than one person 11% of teenage girls ages 13 to 16 have been involved with sending or receiving sexually explicit messages 40% of teenage girls participate in sexting, say they do it as a joke 34% of teenage girls participate in sexting, say they do it to feel sexy 12% of teenage girls participate in sexting, say they do it because they have been pressured into doing it by their peers 22% of teenage girls state that they have sent semi-nude or nude pictures of themselves 18% of teenage boys state that they have sent semi-nude or nude pictures of themselves Not only is there a whole new texting language there is a sexting language as well. Sexting abbreviations 53-X – Sex 8 – Oral sex ASL – Age, Sex, Location CU46 – See you for sex FWB – Friends With Benefits GNOC – Get Naked On Camera (web camera) GNRN – Get Naked Right Now GYPO – Get Your Pants Off IMEZRU – I’m easy, are you? IRL – In Real Life IWS – I Want Sex LMIRL – Let’s Meet In Real Life NIFOC – Nude In Front Of Computer RU18 – Are You 18? SorG – Straight or Gay TDTM – Talk Dirty To Me TMIY – Take Me I’m Yours YWS – You Want Sex Pictures shared between cell phones are not safe. The receiving person can forward them to others or post them on the internet if they get mad or as a joke or as a form of cyberbullying. Those pictures cannot be removed. They are out there permanently. It is important to communicate with your teenager about sexting. Explain the dangers, risks and consequences. Make the effort. Contact Triumph Youth Services today and find out how we can help your son, you and your family. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-sexting