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Sexting: Spin-the-Bottle Type Sex Play for New Millenium Teens

by Tina Kells | May 26, 2009 at 03:53 pm

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Sexting is nothing more than new millenium sex play, just like spin-the-bottle. A study by York University professor Peter Cumming found that the attitides that lead teens to start sexting are no different than those that led previous generations to play doctor.

The York University study addresses the underlying psychology around sexting and criticizes efforts to criminalize the expression of what Cummings says is normal sexual curiosity. The unconventional findings were released May 26, 2007 at the 78th Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The core issue for the law to determine when it comes to sexting is whether or not the behavior constitutes producing and/or distributing porn, or in cases where the subject is a minor, kiddie porn. Cumming claims that such criminalization is uncalled for and punished a behavior that is normal and healthy.

Legislators take a slightly different view pointing out that technology makes it so that sexting messages do not remain a private interaction, like spin-the-bottle, but can be easily converted into the public domain. Both points of view have valid points, just ask Rihanna how quickly a private sexting exchange can become a public humiliation.

It is believed that as many as 1 in 5, or 20% of American teens under the age of 18 have tried sexting. Currently a sexting conviction is seen as a sex crime and guilty teens may be labled sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

"Technology does change things, and there can be very serious consequences" Cumming said.

"But that obscures the fact that children and young people are sexual beings who have explored their sexuality in all times, and all cultures and all places.

"A distinction has to be made between nudity and child porn," he added.

The annual conference, held this year at Ottawa's Carleton University, brings together 8,000 researchers from around the world to discuss the latest social trends.

Sexting -- a combination of the words "sex" and "texting" -- made headlines earlier this year after students in a dozen US states were charged with child pornography for sharing nude and semi-nude photos with friends and classmates.

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Art_By_Alida

at 23:18 on May 26th, 2009

Sexting the same thing as spin the bottle?????

I totally disagree. At that age, boys hormones are raging. If you flaunt it, they will want it.

The lack of modesty in the United States is just out of hand, but then the older women which are portrayed in the media set very bad examples.

It's one reason I like Hindi movies and culture from India. There is still modesty in film and TV. And people seem well-adjusted there.

It's just ridiculous in the United States the way young girls want to expose themselves.

I can't believe a professor would even say such a thing.

jazzyzazzy

at 04:44 on May 27th, 2009

What will they think of next one wonders.

ExcuseMe

at 07:56 on June 21st, 2009

Hmm, textsex messages are the "i'll show U mine if you show me yours" of our modern cellphone play .... reminds me of playing "doctor" from my era.... I found sex play as a kid fun & enjoyable, not dirty. Seems 2 me that our culture here in the US has TV,movies,commercialism directed at youth to become very sexy/aggressive towards each other and towards adults, when our kids mimic what they see they get accused/convicted of being sex offenders. Our society sends out mixed signals and we end up with chaos within our families/culture

quit masturbation (not verified)

at 08:08 on July 27th, 2009

I totally agree with you Alida, at that age, the boys' hormones are more berserk than wolverine on steroids. The ladies should get their act right unless they want to face the worst of their acts.