Psychologist Says Teens Need to Stop Asking for Nude Texts

By:

Sexting is a serious and growing problem for teenagers in the digital age. New research from Northwestern University researchers indicates it is especially harmful to young women who often face intense pressure, usually from their male peers, to send explicit photos of themselves.

The study found that more than two-thirds of girls between ages 12 and 18 said they had been asked for explicit images. If they refuse, these young women often face repeated requests, harassment, and even threats.

Two-thirds of girls between ages 12 and 18 said they had been asked for explicit images. #EndExploitation Share on X

CBS News asked psychologist Lisa Damour what we need to do to reverse this troubling trend. Damour has spoken with many teens through her years of practicing psychology, and she says we need to improve how we talk to teens about sexting.

Damour explained that we often advise teenage girls not to send nude photos of themselves. While that is good advice, she says we also need to tell teenage boys not to ask girls for nude photos in the first place. The onus for preventing this type of harmful behavior should not be totally on teenage girls, Damour explains.

Alarmingly, the pressure on teenagers to share explicit photos of themselves starts young, often as young as age 12, which means parents have to educate their kids in age appropriate ways before this form of sexual exploitation begins.

The pressure on teenagers to share explicit photos of themselves starts young, often as young as age 12. #EndExploitation Share on X

Last month, our Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach Haley Halverson joined an ABC affiliate in Iowa to discuss the growing problem of teen sexting there, noting the Internet Watch Foundation statistic that 88% of ‘sexts’ are essentially stolen from the original location.

 

The Numbers

300+

NCOSE leads the Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation with over 300 member organizations.

100+

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has had over 100 policy victories since 2010. Each victory promotes human dignity above exploitation.

93

NCOSE’s activism campaigns and victories have made headlines around the globe. Averaging 93 mentions per week by media outlets and shows such as Today, CNN, The New York Times, BBC News, USA Today, Fox News and more.

Previous slide
Next slide

Stories

Survivor Lawsuit Against Twitter Moves to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Survivors’ $12.7M Victory Over Explicit Website a Beacon of Hope for Other Survivors

Instagram Makes Positive Safety Changes via Improved Reporting and Direct Message Tools

Sharing experiences may be a restorative and liberating process. This is a place for those who want to express their story.

Support Dignity

There are more ways that you can support dignity today, through an online gift, taking action, or joining our team.

Defend Human Dignity. Donate Now.

Defend Dignity.
Donate Now.