Sexting is a worldwide issue that all high schools deal with, including ours. Even though Worthington Christian High School is a Christian school it doesn’t mean that we are excluded from these issues. Nearly 40 percent of all teenagers have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages, according to a recent study done in high schools across the U.S. Knowing this statistic I became curious of the amount of sexting done at WCHS, so I anonymously interviewed over ten students about sexting and whether they participated in it and why.
The answers I got were from the survey were shocking. When I questioned students on the matter they became very uncomfortable but I assured them it was anonymous and they then felt more compelled to share. The first student I spoke to was comfortable with his reasons for sexting, he said simply "I was horny and under the influence". This seemed to be a continual theme. Some students said they did it as a joke. Others said they did it out of desperation. Either way, most regretted it. One student told me he sexted "because I am a savage". And another said, "I am sex". Reasons for sexting varied from needing to feel accepted to feelings of inadequacy. Not all the interviewees said they have sexted. Few had never sexted but only received sexts. One student described her sexting experience as "unsolicited and annoying". Another student said, "sadly no". Sexting has come to the point where it is socially acceptable and expected. But sending or receiving sexually suggestive messages and photos under 18 is considered child pornography and can result in criminal charges.
It is a lot more serious than teenagers realize. Not only that but often times the receivers of the messages or photo will share them with other people. You may think the photos or message are just between the two of you but you never know who they are with or what they may do with them.
~Laura King
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