Adolescents' engagement in sexting as a normative behavior: Profiles of consensual and coerced sexting

Abstract

Sexting, the exchange of sexual messages or images by digital devices, has become increasingly common in adolescent relationships and is often viewed as a normative expression of teenage sexuality in the digital age. At the same time, sexting carries risks, especially when it is coerced or conducted without consent. The present study, conducted in Israel, used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of sexting behavior in adolescents and to examine differences in background factors in these profiles. Participants were 345 adolescents and young adults (all responses referred specifically to high school experiences) who completed an online survey of sexting behaviors, attitudes, and family communication. Three profiles emerged: non-sexters (83.8 %), sexters (12.2 %), and coerced sexters (4.1 %). Non-sexters reported minimal sexting activity and more open communication with parents, sexters willingly engaged in sexting and embraced permissive sexting norms, and coerced sexters experienced sexting under pressure Girls were overrepresented in the sexter group (78.6 % female) whereas the small coerced sexter group showed no significant gender difference. The profiles did not differ in self-reported religiosity but adolescents in the coerced sexter profile disclosed significantly less information to their parents than those in the two other groups. These findings indicate that although sexting by youths is common and often consensual, a subset experienced it as a form of digital sexual coercion. The results of the study can inform the design of sexting education and shape parenting practices.