Opinions and experiences of sexting in 12-16 year olds in UK mainstream secondary schools: An examination into risk factors

Sexting has become a prominent concern in adolescent online behaviour due to its legal ramifications and potential for images/texts to become publically available.

This thesis aims to examine risk factors, in particular peer pressure and mental health, associated with adolescent sexting.

The literature review investigated the effects of peer pressure on adolescent sexual behaviour.

12 papers met the inclusion criteria all of which were correlational designs using self-report questionnaires.

8 of the studies found a significant association between peer pressure and sexual behaviours.

The practice implications of this are discussed and directions for future research depicted.

The empirical study aimed to examine sexting risk factors in mainstream secondary school adolescents.

The study employed both quantitative and qualitative designs in two parts; a mixed methods self-report questionnaire completed by 265, 12 to 16 year olds in 3 schools and qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with the 3 linked PSHE co-ordinators.

Results found lower sexting prevalence rates than previous research.

A significant relationship between sexting and mental health was indicated, although there was no significant relationship between mental health and sexting if pressured sending a sext.

The older adolescents sexted significantly more than the younger adolescents but there was no significant associations between sexting and gender.

Content analysis applied to adolescent opinion revealed that two thirds believed sexting to "not be okay".

The interviews, analysed using grounded theory, revealed concerns that adolescents have a lack of understanding of sexting issues with peer pressure and group membership a strong influence alongside vulnerabilities with specific demographics, such as gender, SES and SEN.

Conclusions suggest that PSHE should focus on managing peer influences and building resilience, taking into account age.

The role of the EP is considered with respect to this and further longitudinal research outlined.