Does country context matter? Investigating the predictors of teen sexting across Europe

Abstract

Despite growing research interest in sexting, not much is known about individual and country differences in engaging in sexting. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate (a) which individual and country characteristics explain sexting and (b) whether individual predictors vary across countries. On the individual level, we investigated age, gender, sensation seeking, and internet use. On the country level, we investigated traditionalism, gross domestic product, and broadband internet penetration. The sample consisted of 14,946 adolescents (49.7% boys) aged 11-16 from 20 European countries. Data were collected as part of the EU Kids Online project. Participants were interviewed at home. Using multilevel modeling, findings indicate that on the individual level, age, sensation seeking, and frequency of internet use predicted sexting across all countries. Gender differences in sexting varied across countries. Although country characteristics (GDP, broadband internet penetration, traditional values) had no direct effect on adolescent sexting, traditionalism significantly predicted gender differences in sexting. In more traditional countries, gender differences were more pronounced than in less traditional countries, with more boys than girls engaging in sexting. In less traditional countries, gender differences were smaller.

Online Sexual Behaviours Among Swedish Youth : Characteristics, Associations and Consequences

“…Dake, et al, 2012;Lenhart, 2009;Rice et al, 2014), while others found a higher frequency among boys (Dowdell, Burgess, & Flores, 2011) and vice versa National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy & CosmoGirl.com, 2008). Data from the EU Kids Online Project showed that in Sweden boys sent and posted sexual pictures slightly more than girls, 12.9% vs. 10.2% (Baumgartner et al, 2014), while the studies from Ungdomsstyrelsen (2009; indicated that girls posted sexual pictures more often than boys (6.2 % vs. 4.0%).…”

“…A majority of youth have a positive attitude to sexuality, are happy about their sex life and most of the sexual experiences are positive (Häggström-Nordin et al, 2005;Rogala & Tydén, 2003;Tydén, & Rogala, 2004). Sweden and the Scandinavian countries are seen as one of the most gender equal countries in Europe along with fostering one of the most permissive sexual attitudes (Arnett & Balle-Jenssen, 1993;Baumgartner, Sumter, Peter, Valkenburg and Livingstone, 2014;Widmer, Treas, & Newcomb, 1998). The differences between Sweden and for example the US in terms of gender equality and attitudes toward sexuality are larger than between Sweden and other European countries.…”

“…Notably, although these figures are consistent with similar Swedish studies (Sorbring et al, 2014;Ungdomsstyrelsen, 2009; which suggests that the country context may play a role in explaining the variations in rates between studies. For example the permissive views on youths and sex in Sweden (see Baumgartner et al, 2014) might be mirrored with more prevalent sexual behaviours online among Swedish youth, than for example youths in the US (see Harden, 2014).…”

“…Differences have also been found between countries. A study from the EU Kids Online Project (Baumgartner et al, 2014), including data from 20 European countries, found that traditionalism significantly predicted gender difference in sexting. In countries with more traditional male and female roles, boys sexted more than girls.…”

Dutch Adolescents’ Motives, Perceptions, and Reflections Toward Sex-Related Internet Use: Results of a Web-Based Focus-Group Study

“…However, not much is known about adolescents' underlying perceptions and reflections toward sex-related online behaviors that may explain such differential engagement patterns. Moreover, these perceptions and reflections may also vary by nation and culture (Baumgartner, Sumter, Peter, Valkenburg, & Livingstone, 2014;Brugman, Caron, & Rademakers, 2010). To our knowledge, no qualitative studies have investigated Dutch adolescents' motives, perceptions, and reflections toward sex-related Internet use.…”