Tech Report: Sexting Less Widespread Than Originally Thought

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — A study by the Crimes Against Children Research Center that will appear in the January 2012 issue of Pediatrics shows that sexting among teens happens far less than previously thought.

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid, who said he's written often on these types of studies before, concluded that the research itself is oftentimes "junk" and if not that then it's the reporting.

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"I hate to say that about my colleagues, but it's true," he said.

According to Magid, the study found that if you look at the broad definition of sexting, which includes anything from nudity to partial nudity or even clothed "sexy poses", 2.5 percent of kids engaged in the behavior.

"That's a lot less than some of the numbers that had been out there," Magid said.

He added that when it comes to even more explicit behavior, including exposure of certain body parts and total nudity, then it's only 1 percent of kids that have engaged in sexting.

"What we're really finding is that the kids are much better behaved when it comes to this issue than some had thought," he added.

Magid said a summary of the report can be found on safekids.com

You can hear Larry Magid's Tech Report Monday through Friday at 3:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

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