Sexting is the new normal but these are rules you must follow

There are many things that may have sounded vague and weird maybe a decade ago, and have now emerged as a norm. Today, we have a whole world out there, which isn't even real, but arguably more buzzing than the one we live in. From shopping to socialising, everything has now gone digital.

There has been an evident shift in the pattern when it comes to the way we communicate.  A quick text is preferred over phone calls, and our romantic lives are also seemingly gone online. 

One of the by-products of this is sexting. Those who have been living under the rock, sexting is sending, receiving or forwarding explicit messages or images between two people. So, you can put it as virtual love making.

In fact, a recent Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council report claims that sexting could be 'common and becoming normalised among young people. This isn't the first such a report has surfaced, there have been reports in the past emphasising on how sexting is now becoming normal. And, we wouldn't agree any less, as long as it is consensual. 

However, with the outreach of the Internet and how information can go viral within hours, there are things you must know, especially if you are into casual sexting. Firstly, don't get into one. And, if you do, let the words do the magic and avoid sending any explicit image of yours. Always remember, once you hit the send button, there is no way to undo it. 

With explicit photos being shared online, of course, comes the risk of data privacy. These photos could reach malicious minds and the next thing you know they are all over the Internet. But, it just doesn't end there. Imagine, if you fallout with that 'once-trusted' person. Imagine an ex using these photos to blackmail you and to seek revenge. In other words, sextortion, which means making money or asking other favours using this data. 

Sexting is considered healthy when you are in a mature relation. It is believed to keep the spark alive. Nevertheless, there is no assurance that things won't go wrong. As aforementioned, the data could get into wrong hands. For instance, imagine your phone is lost/stolen, and its too late to remotely delete all that data. So, do not send a nude photo even to your spouse or atleast choose to crop the face. Going by surveys and reports online, sexting is seemingly more common in teens. And, here comes the need for more awareness. It is important to be aware of cyber crimes and the effect it would have on you.

Several reports floating online also claim that many people regret after sending an explicit image, some even immediately after hitting on the send button. It may sound fun, but could easily lead to embarrassment, humiliation or even worse.