A woman has offered people "goodnight" messages for a fee. (Photo : Reuters)
Although many sexting studies have focused on teenagers' sex texting habits, new research shows that the activity is also quite common among adults. Findings revealed that 88 percent of adults had sent at least one sexy text message through a smartphone or other mobile device, to a textmate.
The study was conducted by researchers from Drexel University (Philadelphia) and presented at the 123rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. It included 870 United States adults between 18 and 82 years old.
Authors of the study defined "sexting" as either sending or receiving a text message that included sexually explicit or suggestive content. It was usually sent via a mobile gadget.
Based on the study's reports, 88 percent of participants had sent one or more sex texts. Also, 82 percent admitted they had sexted during the past year, according to CBS News.
Sari Locker is a Columbia University psychology professor. She argued that the phone sex figures seem too high.
Locker noted that adults who are not tech-savvy might not have taken part in the online survey. They might not have even known about the questioning.
She also pointed out that the term "sexting" can have different meanings among various people. It could be a sexy text message thanking someone for the previous night's copulation. Another meaning could be an x-rated nude image.
Researchers also discovered some key benefits of sext messages. Like Internet sex, high levels of sexting were linked to increased sexual satisfaction and better communication. In fact, nearly three-fourths of people in a serious relationship reported that they sent sex texts, according to Huffington Post. Just 12 percent had cheated on a spouse or lover.
However, Locker noted that sexting can also have some negative results, and especially among teens. They include privacy and security issues. For example, "dirty" messages and photos sent electronically could be saved and forwarded.
