A new study, “Sexting and Sexual Behavior Among Middle School Students”, published in Pediatrics online on June 30, 2014, says that more middle school children are sexting and that parents may be justified in assuming that more is going on, specifically sex.

“Even among kids as young as 11 to 13, those who sext are also sexually active,” Eric Rice, who led the study at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, told Reuters Health in an email. “Parents, teachers, social workers and pediatricians all need to recognize that sexting is a contemporary adolescent sexual behavior. We need to be teaching kids about the ramifications of sexting as part of our sexual education programs,” he added.

After reading through the study, I would have to agree that the sexting does lead to more promiscuous behavior. I also believe that it is more important than ever that parents talk to their kids about sex and that the discussion includes talking about sexting.

The first thing for parents to do is to understand sexting. This is new for many parents and it is a behavior that brings with it many new problems to be dealt with. Sexting was first recognized in 2005, and according to Wikipedia, Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages, primarily between mobile phones. What does this mean? It means that your teen has sent nude or semi-nude photographs of themselves electronically.

According to the new study, out this week, researchers have discovered that middle school students, not just teens are sexting. Here’s what the research found:

• Three-quarters of the middle schoolers had easy access to texting-capable phones
• 20 percent of students with text-capable cell phone access said they had received at least one sext and almost five percent had sent one.
• Students who had received a sext were about seven times more likely to be sexually active than those who hadn’t
• Students who had sent a sext were about three times more likely to be sexually active
• In total, 11 percent of the kids surveyed said they were sexually active. And 30 percent of them said that the last time they had sex it was unprotected.

The most important think we can do to avoid promiscuous behavior and all the dangers that ensue is provide appropriate education for our teenagers. You need to remember that teenagers and tweens want to hear accurate information from their parents and studies have shown that the more information they get from their parents the longer they generally wait to have intercourse.

In general, where academics and family values are stressed, the onset of having sex is delayed. Parents should make themselves available, be honest, use correct names for body parts, and admit when they do not know something. Sexting might certainly fit into the latter! You should not worry that too much education will encourage sexual behavior, but rather understand that it demystifies it for kids. You also need to be openly monitoring your child’s cell phone. Tell your child you will be checking their phone and looking to see who they are texting.

If you have concerns about your teen or tweens behavior do not be afraid to reach out to the school or to your child’s pediatrician. Trust your instincts, but above all talk to your child often and be honest.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.