A new survey shows that almost one-third of youth are sexting. The survey was conducted by MTV and the Associated Press. 1,247 youth between the ages 14-24 were interviewed and what they’ve admitted is shocking.

“About 61 percent report that they were pressured by someone to send the image. Girls were more likely to share a naked image of themselves than boys. Those who are already sexually active were much more likely to send an image than those who were not sexually active.”

(via Wired)

Most of the youth admitted to sending pictures to their significant other while 29 percent said they send naked pictures to someone they simply knew online. With this sharing phenomenon also came abuse—at least to the young people who responded to the survey.

“About 50 percent of youths who responded to the survey said they’ve been the victim of some form of digital abuse. The most common type of abuse was being the target of a smear campaign; about 22 percent of respondents indicated they’d been the target of lies spread through digital media. About 8 percent of respondents indicated they’d been threatened with some form of digital blackmail.”

(via Wired)

The study showed that 53 percent of females surveyed said that they experienced digital abuse and 42 percent of males acknowledged it as well. The survey also found a link between digital abuse and emotional distress. Also, approximately 12 percent of students sexting have comtemplated suicide.

Keep up with the latest from Youth Radio. Follow @youthradio on Twitter. Live your digital life on Facebook? Become a fan of YMI-Youth Media International and get updates delivered right to your page.