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'Sexting' Not Just About Sex, Study Finds

by Peter Mychalcewycz on May 15, 2009 at 03:03 PM

According to a new study, 'Sexting' may have less to do with sex than its titillating title implies.

Susan Lipkins, a psychologist from Port Washington, NY, found that people who sent sexually explicit messages were more focused on attaining power and control than people who didn't send explicit messages.
Have you ever sent a sexual text message?
Yes1218 (58.2%)
No761 (36.4%)
I'm not sure.114 (5.4%)

According to USA Today, Lipkins polled 323 people, of which a surprising 66-percent admitted to sending some type of explicit messages. Although participants ranged in age from 13-72, most were 26 and younger. (A nice little side-stat for you: 6-percent said that they started text messaging at age 9.)



Lipkins is presenting her results today at the International Conference on the Use of the Internet in Mental Health, at Mcgill University.

Nothing is ever just about sex any more. Whatever happened to plain old teenage hormones? In our world of virtual sexuality, does honest kid behavior stand a chance? We sure hope so. [From: USA Today, via: Textually]

Teen Texting Craziness

Tags: sex, sexting, studies, study, teens, text, text messaging, texting, textmessaging, top

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