Digital Deviance: Low Self-Control and Opportunity as Explanations of Sexting Among College Students

• NCJ Number: 246816
• Journal: Sociological Spectrum Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2014 Pages: 273-292
• Author(s): Bradford W. Reyns; Billy Henson; Bonnie S. Fisher
• Date Published: June 2014
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study utilizes the self-control and opportunity perspectives from criminology to explain sending, receiving, and mutually sending and receiving sext messages.

Abstract

Social scientists have begun to explore sextingsharing nude or semi-nude images of oneself with others using digital technologyto understand its extent and nature. Building on this growing body of research, the current study utilizes the self-control and opportunity perspectives from criminology to explain sending, receiving, and mutually sending and receiving sext messages. The possible mediating effects of lifestyles and routine activities on the effects of low self-control also were tested using a sample of college students. Results revealed that low self-control is significantly and positively related to each type of sexting behavior, and that while certain lifestyles and routines mediated these effects, low self-control remained a significant predictor of participation in sexting. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.