Significant rise of "sexting”, that is, of sending, receiving and promoting provocative nude or semi-nude photos and videos via mobile phone, according to research by the Pew Research Center in the US.
According to the survey, 9% of mobile phone owners have sent a provocative image or video, while 20% have received "sext". As noted in the survey, this is a statistically significant increase from 2012 (6% and 15% respectively). As soon as 3% has promoted sext to other users - a percentage that remained the same as 2012.
Age remains a basic criterion for sexting: younger adults are more likely to send, receive and promote sexts. 18-24 mobile people are more likely to say they get sexts (44% - 26% 2012), while those who are between 25 and 35 are more likely (compared to older) to say they send sexts (22%) . However, promotion is not a very popular activity (6% ages 18-24, 5% between 25-34).
The rise of sexting is linked to the spread of smartphones, which make it easier to take and share images and videos: 56% of American adults own smartphone, while the corresponding percentage in 2012 was 46%. Smartphone owners are much more likely to enter the procedure of sexting compared to owners of "simple" mobile phones (27% compared to 10%, regarding receiving sexts – 12% and 4% respectively for sending).
The technology in the life of couples
More generally, research suggests that the Internet, mobile phones and social networks have become an important part of the daily life of couples in the US. According to its results, the 10% of users who are married or have a stable relationship state that the Internet had a "big impact" on their relationship, and 17% speaks of "little effect". 72% argue that the Internet "did not really affect" their relationship.
The 74% of adult users who speak of an effect on their relationship call it "positive". 20% considered negative, while 4% is good and bad.
With regard to the role of technology as a means of support and communication, 25% of adults who are married or related have sent a written message to their partner while they were at home. 21% have been "closer" because of online or messaging conversations, while 9% has resolved disputes in this way that they were unable to face-to-face.
However, the use of technology apparently also creates tensions: 25% of mobile phone owners who are married or in a relationship have felt that the caution του/ της συντρόφου έχει αποσπαστεί λόγω του κινητού σε στιγμές που ήταν μαζί, ενώ το 8% των χρηστών του Ίντερνετ που βρίσκονται σε σταθερή σχέση έχουν μαλώσει για το θέμα του χρόνου που ο ένας εκ των two goes online. In terms of online activity, 4% of Internet users in a permanent relationship have been upset because they discovered something their partner did online. The corresponding percentages increase in the age group of 18-29 years. More broadly, 45% of Internet users between 18 and 29 who are in serious relationships said the Internet has an effect on their relationship, while only one in ten said the same among those aged 65 and over.
Sharing codes and accounts
67% of Internet users who are married or related have shared their code in one or more online accounts with their partner. Also, 27% have an email account they share, a phenomenon that is particularly noticeable for older people and people over 10 years of age. Yet, the 11% of married or adult dating using social networking sites share a social media profile.
