A simple nude sent to a boyfriend, a message disappearing in a few seconds on an app… For many parents, sexting remains a distant or marginal practice. A large American study published in the journal Journal of Adolescent Health shows, however, that when a teenager shares an explicit image of himself, the risk of slipping is very high.
The researchers looked at the sexting teensthat is, sending or receiving nude or semi-nude photos or videos of oneself, often via smartphone. Beyond simple romantic curiosity, this content can be copied, distributed or used for online sexual blackmail and sextortion. And above all, everything changes depending on the person to whom the image is sent.
Sexting among teenagers: a growing phenomenon amplified by AI tools
The team of Justin W. Patchin of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Sameer Hinduja, a doctor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University, surveyed 3,466 adolescents aged 13 to 17 in the United States in 2025, as part of a nationally representative study. Around 24% said they had already sent a sext and 32% had received one, or almost one in three.
In 2019, the same team found 14% senders and 23% recipients: the practice is clearly progressing, but remains in the minority. “I think a lot of people assume that all or most teens sext. Our research shows that this is not the case“, commented Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D., co-author and professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “Sexting has become normalized in some peer groups, a trend amplified by increased reliance on digital communication during and after the COVID-19 outbreak“, observed Sameer Hinduja, co-author of the study, in a press release from Florida Atlantic University.
The expert also discusses the role of AI tools in the production of images used for sextortion: “The rise of artificial intelligence tools also makes it easier to create realistic sexual content without sexting per se, content that can be used in sexual extortion cases.“.
The scale of “sextortion” at an astonishing level
Among adolescents who had already sent a sext, researchers noted serious consequences. Nearly 47% say their image was shared without their permission, and around 50% say they have been targeted by
sextortion. “The high rate of sextortion and non-consensual image sharing clearly surprised us“admitted Justin W. Patchin, who already knew that these behaviors were on the rise but not to this extent.
A third of young people who have received a sext admit to having already shared it without agreement, and almost a third admit to having threatened someone to get something in return. Boys appear more often involved, as victims and as perpetrators. The youngest are the most exposed: more than 60% of 13-year-olds who have sent a sext say they have seen it circulated without permission, compared to around 41% of 17-year-olds.
Sameer Hinduja emphasizes that: “What is deeply concerning, however, is how often these experiences are linked to coercion, non-consensual sharing, and sexual blackmail. Our study highlights the urgency of going beyond simple “don’t sexting” messages and providing young people with real education about consent, boundaries and digital safety, while giving parents, educators and policy makers the tools to better prevent harm and respond to it when it occurs.”.
Helping teens better protect their privacy
One point clearly stands out: sending an intimate image to a person who is not a current partner increases the risk of non-consensual sharing by more than 13 times and the risk of sextortion by almost 5 times. Scammers pose as online crushes to obtain these images before threatening to publish them.
“Helping teens develop digital skills and healthy online habits is just as important as guiding them in their in-person behaviorconcludes Sameer Hinduja. “By teaching young people to recognize risky situations, protect their privacy and make informed choices online, we can reduce risks while respecting their autonomy. It’s not about fear or punishment, but about giving them the tools to safely navigate a complex digital world.”.