Sexting and Sexual Behavior in At-Risk Middle-Schoolers

Are young at-risk adolescents who send messages or photos with sexual content different from their peers? Investigators examined sexting among 410 seventh-graders (ages, 12–14) considered at risk for dangerous sexual behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex) by teachers and school counselors using a checklist on emotional or behavioral symptoms (e.g., nervousness, hyperactivity, and school grades). Students completed self-administered measures on audio-assisted private computers.

Some exclusionary criteria were pregnancy, history of “sexual aggressiveness,” or being HIV-positive. Ninety-two participants (22%) sent explicit messages or photos via any modality (e.g., text, social media); 21 sent photos (5%). Senders, compared with nonsenders, were mor…