title: Sexting among Spanish adolescents: Prevalence and personality profiles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Voluntarily sending sexual content (e.g., photos, videos) among adolescents via the Internet and mobile phones, a phenomenon called sexting , is receiving increasing social and research attention. The aims of this study were: 1) to analyze the prevalence and trends of sexting among adolescents by gender and age and 2) to examine the personality profile of adolescents that participated in sexting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 3,223 Spanish adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age (49.9% female; mean age = 14.06, SD = 1.37) who anonymously and voluntarily completed self-report questionnaires on sexting and the big five personality factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of sexting was 13.5%. The prevalence was 3.4% at 12 years old and increased to 36.1% at 17 years of age, showing a growing and significant linear trend. Overall, no differences were found between males and females. The personality profile of those involved in sexting was characterized by higher Extraversion and Neuroticism and by lower scores in Conscientiousness and Agreeableness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given its high prevalence, beyond adopting a perspective based on the dangers of sexting, an educational approach that emphasizes responsible and informed use of information and communication technologies is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gámez-Guadix
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Santisteban
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Resett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D040421:Cell Phone; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D060756:Social Networking; D060145:Text Messaging