Physically distant, virtually close: Adolescents’ sexting behaviors during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study contextualizes Belgian adolescents' (12–18 years old) sexting behaviors between romantic and non-romantic partners during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey among 543 Belgian respondents ( M age = 15.29, 68% girls) showed that 40.9% of the adolescents engaged in at least one type of sexting (i.e., type one = textual , type two = visual content with underwear/swimwear , type three = visual depiction of private parts , type four = visual depiction of sexual acts ). Arousal needs were the most common reasons to sext ( M = 3.33, SD = 1.89). Generalized ordered logit analyses show that higher arousal needs were linked to higher frequencies of the first three sexting types. Relational affirmation needs were related to the engagement in sexting type two, whereas partner pressure was related to sexting type three and four. Regarding the latter, a significant link was also found with stress regulation. Conditional relations emerged according to adolescents' sex, developmental status, and relationship status. The current study's findings not only help to inform practitioners in terms of behavioral advice for future pandemics or periods after social isolation, but can also offer explanations for (changes in) adolescents' sexting behaviors after the pandemic and the possible dual nature of its effects.

Personality and Sexual Perceptions of Penises: Digital Impression Formation

“…As digital sexuality and dating become more prevalent (Banerjee & Sathyanarayana, 2021;Courtice & Shaughnessy, 2017;Fisico, 2021;Lehmiller et al, 2021;Nessaibia et al, 2021;Thomas et al, 2021;Maes & Vandenbosch, 2022), the findings of the present study inform the impressions made by potential romantic partners through the exchange of explicit media. While most research has prioritized the face pictures and biographies of potential partners (Anzani et al, 2018;Dai & Robbins, 2021;Ramaker, 2020), the present finding take a step forward to investigate how pictures of penises may contribute to the holistic perception of the person within digital spaces.…”

“…As definitions of what constitutes sexual behavior becomes more ambiguous, the authors highlight the growing concerns of digital infidelity. Past research of sexting behaviors have primarily focused on the negative outcomes associated with them, as concerns about privacy and exploitation abound in digital spaces (Fisico, 2021 ; Maes & Vandenbosch, 2022 ; Thomas et al, 2021 ). Additionally, Lehmiller et al ( 2021 ) argued that while they observed digital sexuality behaviors increased, it was not associated with overall well-being or satisfaction during COVID-19 lockdowns.…”

“…Gasso et al ( 2021 ) observed that there was an overall decrease in both sexting behaviors, as well as online sexual victimization during COVID-19 lockdowns. However, Maes and Vandenbosch ( 2022 ) reported 40.9% of adolescents sexted during lockdowns. Further, pandemic-related stress predicted emotionally driven or risky sexting behaviors in adults (Bianchi et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In many instances, people will exchange nude images of themselves with potential partners. While this occurs by both parties for various reasons (Maes & Vandenbosch, 2022 ), men have primarily received attention for their deployment of the “unsolicited dick pic” (Dietzel, 2021 ). However, while this is traditionally discussed as sexual violence, Dietzel ( 2021 ) argued that there are many reasons for men to send pictures of their penises to their potential partners spanning both consensual and non-consensual motivations and it represents a symbolic form of communication between digital partners.…”

Adolescents’ Use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material Over the Course of 2019–2020 in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-wave Panel Study

“…Lastly, scholars are advised to take on a broader perspective on adolescents’ media uses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, recent research shows that other online sexual behavior such as sexting (Maes & Vandenbosch, 2022 ) and more general media, such as social media use (Cauberghe et al, 2021 ), operated as a tool to cope with feelings of loneliness and stress and to temporarily replace meaningful offline social interactions. The implications of these media uses as a tool to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic should especially be accounted for by future research.…”