It can be innocent. But alarmingly, it has become common for them to send sexual texts, called sexting, or to send nude photos of themselves and others via cell phones, PDAs or e-mails. There are potential psychological, social and legal consequences that teens don’t often grasp in their quest to be connected to their peers.

Sexually explicit and nude photos sent to a close friend can unexpectedly be shared with others who then continue the viral distribution.  What started out as joke or having some fun can quickly change to humiliation and embarrassment as the images can be seen by anyone.  Ex-friends and enemies may send the embarrassing photos as revenge and cyber bullying is a common phenomenon.

Images and e-communication may live on the Internet forever.  Attempting to remove this embarrassing information may be difficult, if not impossible, resulting in dire consequences such as jeopardizing future jobs and acceptance to college as any employer, college admissions officer can easily find this information.  In fact, employers often do Internet searches as part of a background check.  Sexually explicit photos may also attract predators and sex offenders.

In addition, sending nude and sexually explicit photos of minors is considered child pornography, which is a felony in many states. In New York, sending nude photos can result in felony charges for creating, possessing or distributing child pornography.

Elizabeth Carll, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and author in private practice in Huntington and Centerport.