Sexting
Peers versus Pixels: Teen Sexting as Influenced by Peer Norms and Pornography Use.
Open Access: No.
Abstract
This study explored associations between pornography, peer norms, and teen sexting behaviors among a sample of 690 U.S. teens, ages 15–18. The researchers found that pornography use was significantly associated with teens sending, receiving, and soliciting sexts and that teens who reported that their close peers frequently sext and approve of sexting were more likely to send, receive, and solicit sexts. Teens who reported that their distal peers approved of sexting were likely to receive sexts. Pornography use was more strongly associated with sending, receiving, and soliciting sexts than peer norms. Teens may benefit from more discussion around sexting and pornography that focuses on consent and sexual health.
Relevance
The researchers “found that adolescent pornography use was associated with sending, receiving, and soliciting sexts and that the magnitude of these associations was larger than for peer norms” about sexting.
Citation
Densley, R., Booth, M., & Shawcroft, J. (2024). Peers versus Pixels: Teen Sexting as Influenced by Peer Norms and Pornography Use. In S. J. T. Hust, J. F. Willoughby, & R. Ortiz (Eds.). Teens, Sex, and Media Effects Understanding Media’s Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Advocacy (pp. 120-31). Routledge. https://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781032648880-15
