In the article, Psychologist Lisa Damour argues that we have long been warning children about the dangers reputational and potential legal consequences of sending sexually explicit images, but have largely failed to impress upon them the inappropriateness of asking for such images. He was very upset that his teenaged daughter was asked by a classmate to send a naked picture and wanted to know if the kid could be punished. But more generally, is this really a widespread problem that warrants such a heavy-handed response? So, taking the advice I often give to my undergraduate students, I turned to the primary source for clarification. The article upon which this claim is based was written by Sara Thomas, a doctoral student in human development and social policy at Northwestern University. Thomas reviewed anonymous online stories posted to the website athinline.

In some teen circles, sexting is an accepted behavior that happens when people date or are interested in one another romantically. In other instances, it is a one-time lapse in judgment. Regardless of the reason for it, the number of teens using the built-in cameras on their smartphones, iPads, and other electronic devices to take nude or sexually-suggestive pictures is on the rise. But what many teens—and their parents—don't realize are the repercussions that come with these choices. Sexting has some serious consequences not only for the person taking and sending the photos but also for the person on the receiving end.

The bold lingerie looks incongruous in her hands. It is also way too expensive for a girl who is fourteen years old and barely in class nine. But she picks it up confidently from the store aisle, heads straight for the dressing room, puts it on, clicks a selfie, uploads it on Instagram, changes back into her pair of distressed jeans and walks out nonchalantly. Once upon a time, a show like Star Trek — based in the twenty-third century — was a fascinating thought. Where would we end up, many of us kids wondered — our imagination running free and wild.