A major new study found worrisome associations between teen sexting and mental health as well as risky sexual behavior. Youth who sext, compared to those who don’t, were more likely to have multiple sexual partners, experience anxiety and depression, and drink alcohol, take drugs, and smoke. They were also less likely to use contraception. The associations were stronger in younger adolescents.
But before teens (and their parents) panic about how sexting might upend their lives, they should know that the scientists who conducted the research don’t yet understand whether sending or receiving sexually explicit messages directly led to any of the negative outcomes. Read more…
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