Predicting Non-Consensual Forwarding of Sexts among Youth: The Role of Pornography and Instrumental Notions of Sex and Women

• In Event: Hybrid High-Density: Sex and Sexting and Pornography, Oh My!

Abstract

Although (non-consensual) forwarding of sexts is an important aspect of sexting, the predictors of this behavior are currently understudied. The present study aimed to fill this gap by investigating online pornography use, and the subsequent endorsement of sexual objectification of women and instrumental attitudes towards sex, as predictors of whether adolescents and young adults have forwarded a sexually explicit image of someone to others without that person’s consent. Using data from a two wave short-term longitudinal survey among 1,947 participants (aged 13-25) we found that more frequent exposure to pornography significantly increased the odds of non-consensual forwarding of sexts. In addition, an increased acceptance of sexual objectification of women, as a result of more frequent pornography use, was associated with higher odds of non-consensual forwarding of sexts. These findings have implications for preventing non-consensual forwarding of sexts, by increasing our knowledge on which underlying mechanisms need to be targeted.

Authors

• Johanna M.F van Oosten, U of Amsterdam

• Jochen Peter, U of Amsterdam