I feel that sexting has become a form of communication among teens and young adults, because it allows one to hide behind a screen. In an era where it has become incredibly simple to say things over a computer, a phone, without actually talking to people it also becomes easier to be more sexual. This is because your not actually involved, which gives you this sense of control. This is the appeal of sexting, that its hidden behind a screen and you can say, and do things you normally wouldn't if you were in person. The ramifications of this are extreme, because it affects personalities, and adds to insecurities. The article states that it is a more private form of communication, and while it remains problematic could it also be seen as sexually healthy?
What are teens thinking? They are thinking that they can express themselves, when normally they would be too shy or too timid. I truly feel that people don't fully understand the ramifications of the technology yet. Also, in an age where people become famous for having sex tapes it seems that our influences encourage sexting behaviours and having 'dirty' photos reach others. While I don't think this is the actual plan of a teenager sending a photo to someone the like, what they don't realize is that picture will forever be out there, and could come back to haunt them at any time.
Chalfen focuses on a more health-oriented approach to sexting, because that is his background. He suggests that "with regard to physical health and personal safety, we know that parents buy phones for their children to keep them safe, to know their locations, and help them call home if trouble occurs. But camera phones can put children at risk, fostering concerns about online predators." Suggesting that perhaps children should be given phones without cameras, or perhaps those phones that can only dial home, and dial 911 in case of an emergency. I feel as though this seems to be a viable option for parents who are concerned for their children's safety.
Sexting is problematic especially when private photos are passed around for entertainment value. When these pictures end up on Facebook, or on the internet it can be extremely harmful to the individual.
Sexting occurs most often between 1.) "solely between tw between o romantic partners 2.) Exchanges between partners that are then shared outside the relationship 3.) Exchanges people who are not yet in a relationship, but where often one person hopes to be." If two people want to share photos back and forth solely between themselves I don't see this as problematic, depending on whether they are at a mature enough state of mind to choose to do so. Where I find sexting to be problematic is when a person is exploited, and others get entertainment at another's expense.
Chalfen goes on to discuss the possible existence of media correlations, discussing that perhaps it is important to note that perhaps "provocative images seen in music videos and advertisements play in sexualized, mediated self-representation." Perhaps the media has a crucial role to play, or the fact that these teens and young adults fall into a technology ridden society has a large impact on sexting.
Overall, the article discusses the ramifications of sexting as causing harm to health. Due to cellphone, internet use, one could lose sleep, become depressed, among many other ramifications. Sexting is an unhealthy trend among teenagers today, and the article does a good job at outlining them. However, at times I felt it was a bit simplistic, and could have elaborated more on kids in highschools, and highschool pressures, and issues with insecurities. Highschool is the time when your body is changing, and your developing your personality, and this could have a pivotol impact on why these teens feel the need to sext.
The theories used in this article would be that of capitalism, and a consumer world. It is because of a consumer culture, that these teenagers, and young adults have access to this technology that involves texting. We live in a world in which we consume beyond our means, and constantly need to keep up with the next fad. This is because of capitalism. The form of capitalism that we have currently, isn't working. While technology can be beneficial, how beneficial is it? And at how early an age?
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