The way we communicate has changed. This change affects our day to day and affects all areas of our lives, of course, the intimate and erotic meaning of our life has also been affected by these changes, it is in this context that certain phenomena have arisen that need to be clarified, and among them we can mention the myths of sexteo.
New forms of communication have facilitated a kind of instant, barrier-free interaction. As we have already indicated, in this context sexting encompasses a whole range of communicative elements through information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Let’s go a little further in this concept and discuss the myths of sexting.
The word sexting is the fusion of the English words sex and texting. Sexting is the set of practices that involve sending erotic content through electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets or computers.
These practices cover all kinds of formats: photographs, gifs, videos, texts, audios, etc.
So there are many ways to do this, however, it is important to note that this is an activity that takes place as part of a relationship between two or more people.
Therefore, everything that is considered should be consensual and executed freely, that is, when one person chooses to send intimate content to another, he does not do so because he feels pressure, but because he wants to.
When thinking about this type of practice, it is common for it to be considered dangerous, many even try to ban or prevent it.
The truth is that sexting is not, in itself, a bad thing or a good thing, it’s just a way of communicating. Without being good or bad, we can say that it has disadvantages, but also advantages.
When we talk about inconveniences, it is curious to think that the main thing is that these practices have no limits, that is, the disadvantages are more related to the use of sexting than to the concept itself.
Our electronic devices allow us to send any type of content and we set limits ourselves.
What are the consequences of not setting limits or not using sexting well?There may be pressure or blackmail to send erotic content without the person’s wishes.
It may also be that the person who receives the content, without the sender’s permission, shares it with others.
One may even encounter episodes as unpleasant as a person who shares the intimate content of an ex, after a breakup, as a form of revenge.
These disadvantages feed the myths of sexting and, in general, the design of these practices. Sexting, as a form of communication, has important advantages.
They are practically the same as those provided by new forms of communication: instantaneousness, accessibility and removal of geographical barriers.
If your partner is on the other side of the world, you can still burn the flame of passion through erotic games on your mobile phone.
We know that this type of relationship will not replace skin-to-skin relationships, but it can help maintain our desire and passion for each other despite distance.
Therefore, sexting meets needs that previously could not be met, in addition, with our mobile phones we can perform this type of interaction in the way that we feel most comfortable.
Considering its meaning, pros and cons, we can list a number of popular myths or beliefs about sexting:
The myths are quite widespread. To put an end to these myths it is necessary to propose alternatives for the safe practice of sexting, if you want to practice sexting without taking risks, the key is to choose the person with which you do it well.
Trust, as in conventional erotic relationships, determines whether we will feel comfortable and free.
In addition, if we practice sexting with a trusted person, we can be more confident that we are doing this practice voluntarily, not through taxes, which is another important recommendation.
If we focus on content, we can minimize risk in a very simple way, we must act in such a way that if, for any reason, the content we send falls into the wrong hands, we cannot be identified.
For example, if we send a photo showing our body or part of it, that photo should be able to be sent with the same intention and effect without being recognized, either by hiding the face or cropping the image.
If you choose to send intimate content, rest a safety that you won’t be able to recognize other distinctive features within you, such as piercings, tattoos, or any other accessories you usually wear.
It is also recommended that the environment in which you take these photos be neutral, i. e. there should be no family background photos or a feature poster that people know you have, for example.
Try periodically deleting intimate photos that have been saved on your device, because you never know who will have access to them.
We live in a hyperconnected society. When we send a photo through our mobile phone, we automatically lose control of it, either because of the use of platforms or applications that do not guarantee security and privacy, or because of the lack of responsibility of those who receive the content.
If we focus on banning or vetoing these practices among adolescents, they can do the same, after all, taking risks. Therefore, it is best to offer the option that allows anyone who wants to practice sexting safely.