An exploration of adolescents’ sexual contact and conduct risks through mobile phone use

Mariek Vanden Abeele; Keith Roe; Steven Eggermont

doi:10.1515/commun-2012-0003

Article

An exploration of adolescents’ sexual contact and conduct risks through mobile phone use

Mariek Vanden Abeele , Keith Roe and Steven Eggermont

Published/Copyright: March 2, 2012

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information Explore this Subject

From the journal Communications Volume 37 Issue 1

Abstract

This study explores the prevalence and predictors of three sexual contact and conduct risks through mobile phone use among adolescents (N = 540): (1) the exchange of sexually explicit content, (2) the sharing of one's mobile phone number with a stranger from the opposite sex, and (3) participation in anonymous chat rooms on TV. One in three adolescents admits having exchanged sexual content, one in five reports having shared their number with a stranger, and one in ten has participated in TV chat rooms. Contextual predictors were gender, age, having a (romantic) partner, self-esteem, popularity, susceptibility to peer pressure, parent attachment and attitude towards school. Strong mobile phone use predictors were the frequency of text messaging, problematic phone use and using one's phone to avoid face-to-face interactions. However, different patterns emerged for the different mobile phone practices and for girls and boys, indicating the need for further research.

Keywords: mobile phone; cell phone; adolescents; sexual development; risk behavior; risk sexting

Published Online: 2012-03-02

Published in Print: 2012-03-01

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/commun-2012-0003

Keywords for this article

mobile phone; cell phone; adolescents; sexual development; risk behavior; risk sexting