Sexting: The new bug on the block

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photographs or videos, primarily between mobile phones. Sexting is mostly practiced by youth as they try to discover their flirting skills. They create and exchange provocative messages and nude, sexual images of themselves using their cell phone’s built-in digital camera and text messaging functions. In a technology era where anything can be copied, sent, posted, and seen by huge audiences, there’s no such thing as being able to control information. The intention doesn’t matter even if a photo was taken and sent as a token of love—technology can expose to everyone your most intimate self. Sending these pictures or messages is problematic enough, but the real challenge comes when this content is shared broadly. As far too many people have found out, the recipient of these messages is in possession of a highly compromising image or message that can be easily posted on a social networking site or sent to others via email or text. However, the sexting bug isn’t merely sucking up young blood; it stretched out its filthy hand to adults too. Adults aren’t usually the trend setters; they leave trend setting to the younger crowd. Just recently, adults started getting involved on Facebook. They are now diving into sexting in big droves. Married couples are especially vulnerable to sexting affairs. As they get older, many feel as though their partners take them for granted. This could be because they are going through changes in their lives that are stressful, or are simply bored. So when someone else readily pays attention to them, they will drift off. With the advent of the internet, it’s especially easy to find an old lover online. It takes you back to a time when life was simpler and young love was in the air. You may have not seen your high school sweetheart for many years, but a simple Google search can find them. And, the emails soon start. This leads to suggestive comments, perhaps in the form of acronyms. There’s nothing to lose. You don’t live in the same town and it seems so innocent. Eventually, the results are catastrophic deadly results for your marriage if your spouse finds out. Even if you didn’t initially plan on meeting, the sexual tension created by sexually suggestive messages can lead to it. It seems exciting in a marriage that has become boring. It will only be a one time thing. It will make you feel good and your spouse will never find out. The problem is, your spouse will find out. They always do. The sexting becomes a drug-like addiction that you can’t get away from. It’s too exciting. It’s too invigorating. You want to end it, but you can’t stop it. And when your spouse does find out, will he believe that you weren’t really having sex? It is an emotional affair and often emotional affairs are harder to accept than physical ones, especially for men. So, while it may seem like sexting is putting a little innocent spice in your otherwise boring life, remember that it could lead to a break-up and irreconcilable differences. martin.bishop18@yahoo