Sex Online: Pornography, sexual solicitation, and sexting

Researchers have studied the effects of media portrayals on young people for decades. This research has given us insights into violence, obesity, sexuality, and many other areas of child and adolescent health. The platforms and devices available to children and adolescents today, however, are far beyond those we studied years ago. The media landscape is rapidly changing, and in this article we look at some of the effects of newer technologies on risk-related behaviors, focusing specifically on the exposure to online pornography and the concerns of sexting and sexual exploitation with respect to children and adolescents. This is emerging and ongoing research and offers both theoretical and empirical insights into child and adolescent health.