Sexting

Open Access: No.

Abstract

Based on social cognitive processes (Bandura, 2009), sexualizing media likely provide adolescents with credible role models for their own sexualized self-presentation in other mediated contexts, such as sexting. A survey of 6,093 US adolescents was conducted (Mage = 15.27 years, SD = 1.37; 69.1% cisgender girls; 26.8% cisgender boys, 4.2% gender-minority participants) to examine relations between three types of sexualizing media exposure (reality television, music videos, pornography) and active sexting behaviors (i.e., requesting and sending). Among cisgender boys, exposure to sexually oriented reality television was positively related to active sexting behaviors, but this link was not found for cisgender girls or gender-minority participants. Music video exposure was related to active sexting behaviors only among cisgender boys and pornography consumption was positively related to active sexting behaviors among all gender groups. A positive outcome expectancy (i.e., sexting is fun) consistently mediated these relations. A negative outcome expectancy (i.e., sexting is risky) only mediated the relations between pornography consumption and active sexting behaviors among cisgender girls. Results are discussed in light of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2009) and the 3AM Model (Wright, 2011).

Relevance

Exposure to pornography is “positively related” to sexting among adolescents of any gender (i.e., cisboys, cisgirls, and gender-minority or trans youth).

An “implication of our research is that “pornography literacy” would be a useful inclusion for sexting interventions.”

Citation

Aubrey, J. S., Gahler, H., Daniels, E. A., Choi, H. J., & Speno, A. G. (2024). Examining Relations Between Sexualizing Media Exposure and Sexting Attitudes and Behaviors among U.S. Adolescents. Archives of sexual behavior, 53(10), 4065–4078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02984-5