A survey of 800 teenagers over a four month period ending in September, 2009 provides percentages on teen sexting. The practice of sending nude or semi-nude photos by cell phone has caught on despite knowledge of possible consequences.

The PEW Internet and American Life Project reports that 4% of 12 to 17-year-olds have sexted, while 15% have received sext messages. Most of the pictures are sent to boyfriends and girlfriends, with a smaller percentage sent to non-partners. The number increases as the participants get older. 30% of 17-year-olds report receiving a sext message.

Photo by Todd Kravos (Flickr)

As of 2009, statistics indicate that 58% of 12-year-olds have a cell phone while 83% of 17-year-olds do. A common attitude about sexting is that it is no big deal – teens sext knowing there might be consequences, civil or criminal.

To learn more about serious consequences of sexting, see the story here on Phillip Alpert of Florida:  http://askthejudge.info/can-i-get-into-trouble-for-sexting/232/

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