Love and Sex

Stories of rampant teen sexting have filled TV shows and cable news channels for so many years now that you'd think it's the main use of cell phones in the demographic. Not so, says a new study from the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, which interviewed over 1,500 10- through 17-year-olds on their use of suggestive texting.

The survey shows that a smaller portion of teens — two and a half percent — have sent nude or nearly nude pics, which is in striking contrast to a previous study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy that claimed 20 percent of teens have sent explicit images. The parameters for "nearly nude" pictures included teens in bathing suits or underwear in suggestive poses. Along with the raw data, the newer study bears an important distinction, adult teens — those 18 and 19 — were specifically not included in the study since their use of sexting provocative pictures is not considered a crime of child pornography.

The university hopes to make their data figures widely known to show that despite what may appear in the media, sexting is not the norm for minor teens. Spreading the word that most of their peers do not send racy photos of themselves may prevent teens from the potential embarrassment and emotional pain that 21 percent of teens are said to have felt after sexting.

Do you agree with this new study that teen sexting is not as popular as it's been depicted in the past?

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I have been seeing an incredible new guy for several months now. He's 10 years older than me — mature and sophisticated beyond any previous guy I've dated. I really like him, he already tells me that he loves me. He has been married but has been divorced for many years — he's friends with his ex-wife for the sake of their two daughters.

He dated his most recent ex-girlfriend for nearly four years before they broke up last summer. They were engaged at one point, but called it off. His ex-girlfriend did not like children and stayed away from his. The relationship was on and off for the last year they were together. It truly didn't sound like a happy situation (of course, I know I've only heard one side).

So why is he still having ex issues? He recently saw a picture of her on Facebook with her new boyfriend and it sent him into a mini-depression for a couple days. He still occasionally gets mopey about not being able to be friends with their mutual friends anymore. I get the fact that it's hard to get over a long-term relationship. My most recent ex and I dated for nearly seven years. It took years to get over him! I get it! I want to be supportive and caring, but it's hard when I know nine times out of 10 — if he's sad — it's because of her. What should I do?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

This week's confession comes from our anonymous Confession Booth group in the TrèsSugar Community. Weigh in with your advice below.

I am a young lady in my late 20s married to a wonderful guy and we've been together about eight years. I'm not quite sure when it started, but it seems like I fantasize about every guy I talk to. Depending on how well I know them and attractiveness they can get very, very vivid and it makes me self-conscious about whether guys can tell what I'm doing. It's so bad that I pretty much avoid eye contact with guys in general because I feel like I betray Hubby every time it happens.

There's lots of cool stuff going on in our community — join it, check it out, share your posts or advice in the great groups, and maybe we'll feature it here on TrèsSugar!