Sexting

The emergence of the Internet and social media platforms combined with the rising popularity of mobile phones has enabled people to more easily engage with others and share their life experiences through the transmission of images. Sexting represents one of the many new forms of interaction that have appeared as a result of these technological shifts. Sexting can be defined as the sending, receiving, or forwarding of sexually explicit messages or images to others via electronic means (e.g., cellular phones) and is emerging as a potentially serious public health issue. It is important to note that while researchers, educators, and parents refer to this behaviour as “sexting,” adolescents and young adults commonly refer to it as a “nude” or “sexy selfie.” This entry examines the ...