Sexting. Picture: Adam Ward Source: The Daily Telegraph
SEXTING may now be just another part of dating for young adults who have grown up with smart phones and social media, a study has found.
Researchers from the University of Michigan studied the behaviour of 3447 young adults aged between 18 and 24 and found that sexting is very common and mostly harmless.
The study, in the Journal of Adolescent Health, contradicts the broader public perception of sexting, saying the behaviour does not correlate with risky sexual behaviours or psychological problems.
Researchers say it is another matter for younger age groups where legal and sexual development issues emerge.
But assistant professor Jose Bauermeister said the portrayal of sexting in the media and health services as unsavoury, deviant or even criminal may be unfair for young adults.
The study looked at how sexting impacted the health life of young-adult participants.
It found nearly half of the participants had engaged in sexting, and most of those who did said it was a reciprocal exercise with their romantic partners.
Researchers asked about the number of partners participants in the study had been with and whether or not they had had unprotected sex .
The study also found no greater levels of depression, anxiety or low self-esteem among those who engaged in sexting, Bauermeister said.
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