Is sharing nude content a problematic behavior? Self-made sexually explicit pictures, gendered risks of harm, and online victimization

Abstract

This article reviews and advances existing literature concerning the relationship between self-made sexually explicit pictures, gendered risks of harm, and online victimization. Using and replicating data from DrEd, MediaSmarts, Our Watch, Plan International Australia, Relationships Australia, Statista, Strohmaier et al. (2014), and Survata, I performed analyses and made estimates regarding perceived frequency of sharing sexts by peers and close friends (%), sexting by relationship status (yes, %), and the most common online sexual risks experienced by U.S. Internet users (%). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.