Despite knowing the consequences of sending sexually explicit photos via text message (a practice known as "sexting,") teens are still doing it. A new study of more than 600 high schoolers -- freshmen through seniors -- found that about 18 percent of students had sent a sexually explicit photo via text message.

Meanwhile, the University of Utah study found, nearly half of all the research participants had received a sexually explicit photo on their cellphone, which confirms that photos are often forwarded to friends and classmates.

According to LiveScience, "More than one-third of those students who indicated sexting said they were aware of serious legal and other consequences of getting caught." The article points out that while sexting laws differ by state, senders and recipients of sexually explicit photos of minors could face child pornography charges.

 

Continue at: http://www.livescience.com/20955-teen-sexting-prevalence.html

Check out HealthTeacher's K-12 lesson plans on family health and sexuality. http://www.healthteacher.com/lesson/ScopeAndSequence