What’s Wrong With Adult Sexting?

Introduction

Experts on adult sexting were in demand all week, as details continued to emerge about Representative Anthony Weiner's online sexual communications with at least six women. On Saturday, his office said he had asked for a leave of absence from Congress so he could seek psychiatric counseling.

While research into teenagers' exchange of sexually explicit messages or photographs of themselves has gained a lot of attention, there is less information on sexting among adults. A Pew Research Center poll found that 6 percent of Americans over 18 reported having sent a nude or near-nude image of themselves to someone else and 15 percent said they had received one. In Mr. Weiner's 30- to 49-year-old demographic, 17 percent reported receiving such a message.

Can adult sexting simply be considered a new form of pornography? When is it harmless and when is it damaging and even dangerous? Is it different for people in their 20's as opposed to older adults?

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