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Jake Moffitt says he was more than shocked at the picture message he received from a girl he had never even met.
"I was MySpace friends with her and I gave her my number for
some reason. One day I was on a Greyhound bus and she sent me a nude picture of her, without us even having a previous conversation. I thought it was pretty funny. The person sitting next to me and I had a good laugh." Moffitt, Wichita junior, says.
As technology continues expanding the virtual world by the minute, sexting, or sending sexy or promiscuous pictures or text messages to recipients via cell phone, is a spreading phenomenon for teens and college students alike.
Three out of 10 people ages 14 to 24 have sent or received nude photos on their phones or online, according to a collaborative Associated Press and MTV poll. A similar study done by The Pew Charitable Trusts claims that about 15 percent of American teenagers have received sexually explicit photos on their cell phones and that percentage doubles as teens get older. The teens attended focus groups and found that sexts often occur between two people already in a romantic relationship and people who are not yet in a relationship, but hope to be.
Moffit says he is not a sexting participant, but the concept is similar to cyber sex, reminiscent of when AOL instant messenger gained popularity. "It's a weird fad and another way to show how
Let's talk dirty: Sending sexy texts to your partner could spice things up, however, be cautious of the preconditions that could result from a nasty breakup.
people are fading farther away from human interaction, even with sex," Moffitt says.
Elizabeth, New York senior who asked her full name not be used, says she has been guilty of a sext or two, but only with people she has or is currently involved in a relationship with.
"My boyfriend and I long-distance dated and used to send pictures of ourselves to each other," she says. "We used to send text messages to each other, like what we wanted to do each other and how we felt, too."
Jon Marzette, Lawrence sophomore, says he thinks sexting can go hand in hand with being under the influence.
"A sext is literally a billboard. It's advertising yourself."
- Harlan Cohen, author of The Naked Roommate and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College
"I'm sure it's a factor. Liquid confidence could blur the line between being sure of yourself and just being sloppy and horny," Marzette says.
There are many ways to express sexiness other
than a photo text, says Harlan Cohen, author of The Naked Roommate and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College.
"Before sending a sext, think about what that picture or video would look like in a movie theater or at the IMAX," he says. "Just assume that the world is going to see it because that is the real risk you take by sending a sext."
Cohen says he doesn't encourage sexting, but says that precautions should be taken if you have to sext.
"I'm not encouraging it, a Sext is literally a billboard. It's advertising yourself," Cohen says. "If you have to do it, don't include your face."
Cohen also says that more is at risk than people generally consider when sending sext messages.
"It seems like nothing when you send it, but if you want to find a job outside of the pornography industry, the last thing you want is a picture or video like that in someone else's hands. Today, a picture or video is forever and it's virtually impossible to detach your name from it once it's sent out there," he says.
Cohen says safe sexting is possible, but only in certain circumstances and relationships. "There are some relationships where it could work: loving, respectable relationships," he says.
"But remember, one day that person can be your ex."
If lust dictates you must consider the three Ms of sexting - "manners," "morning" and "mother."
1. Manners - Consider how you mind your manners when you're face to face with this person.
2. Morning - If you're sexting at night, and you've had a drink or five, consider how you'll feel in the morning after sending this sext. Will you regret it?
3. Mother Imagine if your mother somehow got a hold of this sext message? Is it worth it?
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