“Claiming that teenagers who engaging in sexting are risky kids is just not accurate. Kids who sext cut across all cross sections–ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and risk status.” – Dr. Jeff Temple, Psychologist and Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch
Overview:
In this episode of Innovation for All, Jeff Temple, professor and licensed psychologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch will discuss his research that studies teenage sexting behaviors. Jeff explains the gender breakdown of teenage sexting, the factors that may lead to psychological consequences, and how it may be a safe way for LGBTQ youth to explore sexuality.
In this episode you will learn:
- How psychologists define what sexting is
- What sexting looks like in adults
- How sexting should be looked at in the context of universal prevention programs rather than as a bad behavior
- What Jeff’s longitudinal studies of teenage sexting involve
- The challenges of studying sexting in teenagers
- The breakdown of sexting in girls compared to boys
- What factors related to sexting could lead to psychological health consequences
- Why consensual sexting does not lead to psychological health issues
- How media headlines misrepresent today’s teenagers as “sex-crazed”
- If sexting can be used as a safe way explore sexuality
- If there are legal risks in having nude photos on your phone
- What makes people want to sext
- How sexuality plays into the research of teenage sexting
- Opportunity to talk to your teenager in an ongoing conversation
- How in the future psychology may be integrated into primary care
- Why college athletes should be paid
Links and mentions:
- Jeff’s Published Research
- UTMB Behavior Health & Research Website
- Eric Rice of USC
- by Diana Graver
- Joe Gitchell
- Mary González
Connect with Jeff:
