ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the current state of the sexting research published to date. It identifies the known correlates and predictors of sexting and discusses their relationship to sexting. The chapter presents what researchers know about teenagers' and young adults' attitudes toward sexting. It also describes three consequences of sexting: social/psychological, professional, and legal. The chapter then highlights sexting research done in the United States and by researchers working in other countries throughout the world. "Sexting" is an abbreviation for "sex texting" and originally referred to sending sexual images or text messages over mobile devices. It has evolved to describe a number of sexually expressive behaviors via digital communication. Among younger people, "older" individuals are more likely to engage in sexting. Single individuals sent significantly fewer sexts than individuals who were dating, cohabitating, or married. Of those who were currently in a relationship, cohabitating individuals sent significantly more sexts than married individuals did.
