Teenage sexting: why do they do it?
The sexting consists of photographing or recording a posed or scene of a sexual, erotic or pornographic nature, which is subsequently sent via video calls, WhatsApp, emails, etc ... to a specific person; becoming a new form of relationship between young people through technology and mobile devices. These contents are distributed by teenagers among their own groups of friends, being able to use this material in an inappropriate or perverse way.
In this sense, the minors know very well the risks of sexting for your reputation Y the consequences what these practices can mean, even legal, and still produce and distribute videos or images totally compromised and rises in tone among their friends.
The curiosity of 'sexting': why do they do it?
There are many reasons and explanations that can help us understand the origin of this phenomenon on the rise, as is the sexting. Some of them are very evident:
1. They believe they can control it. Sexting also harbors the false sensation and perception of security that they have in the use of new technologies. They consider, in most of the occasions, that it is like a game, thinking that they can control it.
2. The contents are trivialized. A society too permissive, that banalizes and minimizes the exposure or constant viewing of nudes, sex and explicit scenes, in any type of advertising or audiovisual support, without any type of control and supervision; in such a way, that these contents are easily accessible to young people, who do not give importance to it and thus favoring the practice of sexting.
But, above all, there are two indisputable reasons: the need and desire to fit socially and the desire to attract attention. Let's analyze these two factors.
1. Fit socially. In the adolescent stage, the popularity and acceptance of the group of friends is fundamental for them, so that an explanation of the practice of sexting may be the strong presence of group dynamics such as social peer pressure.
These behaviors are very common in adolescence, also present in animal nature, and where the acceptance of the group exerts a powerful influence.
But alongside that social pressure, there is, on the other hand, the personal pressure of minors, who consider that this type of behavior becomes necessary, since they are associated with greater popularity, so they do not hesitate to photograph themselves and share the images
2. The desire to attract attention. It is another element that we must also take into account, related to the intrinsic vanity of many adolescents, the need to seek the approval of others and fit socially, since the cult of the body is something highly valued and demanded; this is another reason why minors would practice sexting, exhibiting his body and sharing it with others.
Thus, most adolescents perform these behaviors in a clear example of socialization, with the aim of facilitating their integration with other peers and peers in schools.
When the 'sexting' ends in mockery
However, sometimes these videos and images end up being used for mockery, harassment and ridicule of minors, who see the disclosure of their content without their consent, generating feelings of sadness, anger and shame.
It can even give way to more serious events, such as sextorssion and in which the victim is subjected to blackmail in order not to spread the images or videos committed.
In these cases, the adolescent child is exposed to situations that are difficult to tolerate and to an obvious social exclusion on the part of his / her peers, which can generate episodes of anxiety and depression, ultimately resulting in a tragic suicide.
The practice of sexting among adolescents is a social phenomenon, a real problem that we must know because many of the behaviors and behaviors of adolescents end up generating trends, so they are repeated systematically among them.
The best way to combat the sexting is talking to teenagers; communication, in addition to strengthening the bond between parents and children, is a key element when facing any type of problem that the child may have in its different evolutionary stages, such as adolescence.
Ricardo Lombardero Calzón. Lawyer, Mediator and Coach. Cofounder of Lomber Soluciones Cyberbullying
