The popular belief is that the practice of sexting, or sending or transmitting of nude, seminude and explicit sexual images via electronic communication devices, is widespread among teenagers. However, a new study that has just been published in the Journal Pediatrics indicates that that is far from the truth. According to the study, the number of teenagers who indulge in sexting- a practice which could actually place them at risk of being charged with sex crimes in California - is quite low.

The study found that 1 in 10 minors between the age of 10 and 17 have sent or received nude, semi nude or sexually explicit images or other material on their cell phones over the past year. According to previous studies, the number of minors engaging in sexting was as high as 1 in 5. The problem of sexting involving teenagers has been painted by many as something of a national crisis, especially after a series of incidents in which teenagers, who were found with sexually explicit material on their cell phones, were charged with sex crimes. According to this latest study, however, the practice of sexting may be much more common among adults than teenagers.

Overall, according to the study, 149 youths or just 9.6% of the people in the survey admitted that they had sent or received sexually explicit material on their cell phones at least once over the past year. Among those who had indulged in sexting, just over 2% said that they had sent or received messages that included pictures of themselves. About 7% admitted that they had received sexually explicit content on their cell phones from someone else.

As any San Diego criminal defense lawyer knows, the intent behind sexting involving most teens is not malicious or criminal in nature. Many cases where teenagers are found exchanging sexually explicit material, involve pranks, an exchange of content between 2 teenagers in a relationship, flirtatious gestures or something equally harmless.