Senior Staff Writer
MedPage Today
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
In a survey of adolescents ages 10 to 17, less than 10% reported appearing in or creating nude or sexually suggestive images or receiving such images in the preceding year, according to Kimberly Mitchell, PhD, of the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center in Durham, and colleagues.
Only 2.5% had appeared in or created (as opposed to having received) these images, a percentage that dropped to 1.3% when a strict definition of sexually explicit -- something that could be classified as child pornography -- was used, the researchers reported in the January issue of Pediatrics.
In a separate study, led by Janis Wolak, JD, also at the New Hampshire center, the researchers found that most cases of youth sexting that came to the attention of law enforcement did not result in arrests, except for incidents involving adults.
Although the results are somewhat reassuring, Mitchell and colleagues wrote, "receiving and thus possession of potentially illegal images among young people is widespread enough that education about this and its consequences is strongly warranted."
This story is here.
Abstract: Prevalence and Characteristics of Youth Sexting: A National Study
Abstract: How Often are Teens Arrested for Sexting? Data From a National Sample of Police Cases
