Sexting: the risky practice of sending naughty photos to each other via cell phone

What is "sexting" and why are more and more people sending each other erotic photos via WhatsApp?

Couples who practice "sexting"i.e. sending sexually suggestive or explicit sexually suggestive or explicit images via cell phone or social networks, have better sex. or social networks, have better sex and are more satisfied in their relationship, according to a study by Drexler University in the United States.

Misuse of "sexting" can lead to psychological problems

Sexting" (a term that comes from the contraction between sex y textingand is also known as sexting in Spanish) has become very popular with the emergence of social networks and smartphones, and consists of exchanging images or videos of oneself with someone you trust. It consists of exchanging images or videos of oneself with high erotic or sexual content with someone you trust.. For several years, this practice has been widespread among young people and adults.

Sexting is considered a risky sexual practice, as there may be certain risks associated with its use. For example, the access of minors to inappropriate content or the dissemination of the material among acquaintances (without the consent of the author of the image or video).

Some cases of sexting that ended badly

As has happened on several occasions, some private images have ended up coming to light, with the undermining of the moral integrity and reputation of the person whose compromising photos have entered the public domain..

In Spain, one of the most notorious cases was that of the councilwoman from Los Yébenes (Toledo province) Olvido Hormigos. A video that Hormigos sent to a sentimental partner and in which she appeared masturbating, ended up coming to public light, a fact that unleashed a real media storm. media storm.

These cases have also sparked some debate about the risks of sending erotic photos to someone, precisely because of the danger that this third party may misuse them. In addition, it is not uncommon the attack of specialists in hackingable to access information on smartphonesThe hackers are able to extract all the videos and photos stored in the device's memory. In fact, a few months ago a good handful of celebrities Jennifer Lawrence, Kim Kardasian or Selena Gomez acknowledged having been victims of the theft of intimate photos.

The distribution of this type of material can lead to serious legal consequences and the development of psychological problems when young people or adults lose control over the content and it ends up reaching unintended recipients.

Sexting is an increasingly common courtship practice.

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan (USA), who used a sample of 3,447 men and women, ranging in age from 18 to 24, "sexting" is not a sexually risky behavior, but is instead is not a sexually risky behavior, but part of courtshipThe social networks have provided new ways of interpersonal relationships. Although, yes, one of the most used platforms for sexting is the instant messaging offered by WhatsApp.

"The appearance of technology in people's lives provokes this type of sexual practices," argues José Arturo Bauermeister, director of the Laboratory of Sexuality and Health and co-author of this study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Couples who engage in "sexting" are more satisfied with their relationship

Sexting is not only widespread among young people, but also among those who are adults also enjoy this practice. According to research from Drexler University's Women's Health Psychology Lab, the use of sexting between partners is associated with good relationship health.

The research involved 870 U.S. subjects aged 18 to 82 and was presented at the 123rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Society in Toronto. Eighty-eight percent of the subjects who participated in the study acknowledged having engaged in "sexting" at some time in their lives, and 82% in the past year. Seventy-five percent of the respondents claimed to have done so within a stable relationship and 43% in a more casual relationship.

Finally, the researchers found a relationship between higher levels of couple satisfaction and more frequent use of this practice, i.e., that couples with higher levels of satisfaction were more likely to have had sex than those with lower levels of satisfaction.i.e., couples who are more satisfied with their relationship practice more "sexting".