WASHINGTON (AP) — A 16-year-old boy in the San Francisco area says he doesn't think "sexting" is "that big of a problem." He says he's shared naked pictures of himself with girlfriends.
But young people across the country are facing charges -- in some cases, felony charges -- for sending those pictures. So, he says he "probably wouldn't do it again."
But he's not alone in having done so. More than a quarter of the young people responding to an Associated Press-MTV poll have been involved in some way in sending explicit photos, videos or chat by cell phone or online.
And many of those who've done so say they haven't been deterred by the knowledge that there might be legal consequences.
A sociology professor in Philadelphia, Kathleen Bogle, attributes that to the "invincibility factor that young people feel."
Those who sent nude pictures of themselves mostly said they were sent to a boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic interest. But 14 percent said they suspect the pictures were shared without permission.
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Sofia Mannos
An Associated Press-MTV poll suggests "sexting" is common among young people. AP Correspondent Sofia Mannos reports.
<<CUT …128 (12/03/09)>> 00:12 "did it anyway"
Sofia Mannos
AP Correspondent Sofia Mannos reports an Associated Press-MTV poll suggests a split among young people when it comes to sending sexual text messages.
<<CUT …129 (12/03/09)>> 00:13 "might worry about"
Sofia Mannos
AP Correspondent Sofia Mannos reports La Salle University sociologist Kathleen Bogle has studied sexting and young people's views of it, finding results a bit disturbing.
<<APPHOTO GFX266 (12/03/09)>>
: Graphic shows AP-MTV poll results on sexting among teenagers and young adults
