Sexting Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates in Spanish Secondary School Students

Abstract

Introduction This research analyzes the prevalence of sexting and socio-demographic correlates in a sample of 647 adolescents administered a questionnaire at secondary schools in Valencia (Spain). Methods The questionnaire results indicate that 61% of respondents reported being involved in at least one case of sexting, with 24, 58, and 18% reporting having sent a sext, received a sext, and forwarded a sext, respectively. Results More males and older adolescents reported having received and forwarded sexts than female and younger adolescents. Conclusions Furthermore, time spent using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) devices, use and frequency of use of social media, grade repetition, low academic performance expectations in Math, and a single-parent family situation appear to correlate with an increase in the prevalence of sexting experiences. Policy Implications Our study also provides results that can support new lines of inquiry into analyzing the relationship between sexting and certain socio-demographic, family situation, and educational variables in relation to adolescents.

Prevalence of sending, receiving and forwarding sexts among youths: A three-level meta-analysis

“…In this regard, sexting may be a gradual evolving activity that begins with the exchange of text messages and leads to the exchange of other media formats such as images or videos [15]. It is also reasonable to think that the exchange of text messages may require a lower degree of exposure and of trust between the sender and receiver compared to the exchange of images or videos [14]. Segregating the estimates based on media content type, our estimated prevalence for receiving text messages is higher than the overall prevalence estimated by Klettke et al [1].…”

“…Future empirical studies should also consider the content of the messages in terms of the purposes for which they are sent or received (e.g., expressing sexual interest towards the recipient, describing a real or fictional erotic scene, proposing to perform cybersex or to enact live sexual relations). They also should broaden and clearly define the different types of media content exchanged, including text messages, images, videos, and, additionally, audio recordings, which can be considered media content useful to fulfilling a sexual purpose [14,36], and voice calls of a libidinous character that can be used by individuals to excite or satisfy their own or someone else's sexual pleasure.…”

“…Sexting prevalence rates observed in youths indicate great variability, and demographic correlates are inconclusive, especially concerning gender differences [1,2,14]. To date, a number of studies have examined sexting prevalence rates among youths.…”

Development and Validation of the Adolescent Sexting Scale (A-SextS) with a Spanish Sample

“…The scales employed thus far suggest that sexting occurs via mobile phones or social network sites without covering other potential technologies or platforms. Nor do they cover other possible media formats, such as audio [31,36]. Sexts have thus far only been characterized with very general adjectives, and, therefore, have been subject to the interpretation of respondents.…”

“…The purpose behind exchanging sexts in such contexts and with such recipients is an aspect that has been considered in very few studies [29,30]. Another conceptual consideration is that the timeframe of measures used to assess sexting has varied considerably across studies, with some accounting for a month prior to surveying, and others referring to lifetime prevalences [31,32]. Lastly, the most notable methodological limitation of research on sexting is the absence of a consensus on its measurement, especially in adolescents [17].…”