ABSTRACT
Consensual sexting is predominantly framed, however, as a risky consequence of childhood sexualization. Tween and teenage girls are purportedly being mal-socialized to deny their natural innocence, to prematurely embrace and express the characteristics of porn culture, and to engage in "self-sexualization" in the form of sexting. Fueling the moral panic over sexting is an apparent desire to protect white, heterosexual, middle- and upper-class, respectable girls from both sexual predators and themselves. Much of the moral panic around sexting is fueled by media coverage of the punitive legal response to this practice. With respect to media discourses on sexting, one of the earliest online forums dedicated to this topic emerged following the Tyra Banks episode on sexting. Given Banks's expressed disapproval of girls who sext it comes as little surprise that the discussion-board responses largely reflect her interpretation of the practice. Prosecuting teens who engage in consensual sexting demonstrates the negative consequences of ignoring agency, autonomy, and desire.
