Sexting gains popularity
Samantha Cavalier REPORTER
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
While texting has been a trend for teens and young adults over the last couple of years, sexting, which has recently gained popularity, has taken this technology a step further.
According to http://www.findlaw.com, sexting is defined as "the transmission of suggestive material via text messages."
Youngstown State University psychology professor Dr. Steve Ellyson describes those who engage in sexting as exhibitionists, attention seekers, egotistical and lacking shame.
"Teenagers are always pushing boundaries. It's just another way to express themselves," Ellyson said.
YSU students' opinions on sexting range from accountability issues to the appropriateness of the matter.
Sophomore Ashley Avnet said sexting could be a "way for people to show how they are really feeling without actually offending the person they are with."
"[It's] just in case they say something a person doesn't want to hear, or to see how their partner will react to the way they feel or what to do in person," Avnet said.
Freshman Josh Malenic said he finds nothing wrong with sexting.
"I approve. If people want to do it, go ahead. If not, they don't have to," Malenic said.
Sophomore Garrett Lunger said he feels similarly.
"I tend to think that if it effectively conveys what's going on in a relationship, and it is used in an appropriate fashion, why the heck not? But I am a guy, so who's not surprised?" Lunger said.
On the contrary, some negative aspects of sexting may exist.
Photos, videos and risque text messages can be distributed on the Internet and can also be forwarded easily to others via mobile phones. Additionally, sexting is illegal for those less than 18 years old. In this case, sexting falls under the creation, distribution and possession of child porn; this is a felony offense.
Ellyson said the immediacy of sexting also could be detrimental.
"It is a spur-of-the-moment decision that is not so much retrievable," Ellyson said.
Social networking Web sites can also cause sexting to get out of hand. For instance, once photos are posted on Facebook, they are always accessible.
"Pictures can be distributed easily and can be sent to everyone on Facebook. This can come back to haunt people when they are looking for a job," Ellyson said.
According to http://www.findlaw.com, sexting is defined as "the transmission of suggestive material via text messages."
Youngstown State University psychology professor Dr. Steve Ellyson describes those who engage in sexting as exhibitionists, attention seekers, egotistical and lacking shame.
"Teenagers are always pushing boundaries. It's just another way to express themselves," Ellyson said.
YSU students' opinions on sexting range from accountability issues to the appropriateness of the matter.
Sophomore Ashley Avnet said sexting could be a "way for people to show how they are really feeling without actually offending the person they are with."
"[It's] just in case they say something a person doesn't want to hear, or to see how their partner will react to the way they feel or what to do in person," Avnet said.
Freshman Josh Malenic said he finds nothing wrong with sexting.
"I approve. If people want to do it, go ahead. If not, they don't have to," Malenic said.
Sophomore Garrett Lunger said he feels similarly.
"I tend to think that if it effectively conveys what's going on in a relationship, and it is used in an appropriate fashion, why the heck not? But I am a guy, so who's not surprised?" Lunger said.
On the contrary, some negative aspects of sexting may exist.
Photos, videos and risque text messages can be distributed on the Internet and can also be forwarded easily to others via mobile phones. Additionally, sexting is illegal for those less than 18 years old. In this case, sexting falls under the creation, distribution and possession of child porn; this is a felony offense.
Ellyson said the immediacy of sexting also could be detrimental.
"It is a spur-of-the-moment decision that is not so much retrievable," Ellyson said.
Social networking Web sites can also cause sexting to get out of hand. For instance, once photos are posted on Facebook, they are always accessible.
"Pictures can be distributed easily and can be sent to everyone on Facebook. This can come back to haunt people when they are looking for a job," Ellyson said.
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