IS YOUR TEEN AT RISK? DISCOURSES OF ADOLESCENT SEXTING IN UNITED STATES TELEVISION NEWS

Sexting is the term commonly used to refer to the transfer of nude or semi-nude pictures or videos between mobile devices. This paper contextualizes the reaction to the practice of sexting among adolescents by exploring legal responses and reviewing the literature on teens and cell phone use. The purpose of the paper is to identify, explore and analyze the key themes emerging from the coverage of teen sexting by television news in the United States. The author explores three primary themes that emerge from the broadcast discourse: preference for technologically deterministic explanations; reliance on gender-differentiated scenarios; and, a preference for solutions involving surveillance. This paper further explores whether the discourse around sexting can be understood using media panic theory. Noting the problematic conflation of risk and harm in the discourse, the author concludes by suggesting avenues for future research regarding the creation and transmission of sexual images using digital devices.