The whole spectrum of personal life, including sexuality, has radically changed with the arrival of the internet and social media. Connectivity may be shortening the distance between people, but the internet is not always the best place to express some private thoughts or actions. The generations that grew up with the shining screen of a phone conceive technology as an inherent part of sexuality.
“Sexting is a new way to explore sexuality between a couple; however, behind each selfie lies one of the greatest controversies of our time: Privacy.”
Sending sexts and nudes, provocative poses or explicit sexual content can be exhilarating for some people. It is a thrilling game and every pixel plays with the imagination and desire. In the US,
17% of sexters share the messages they receive with others and a staggering 55% of those share them with more than one person. While privacy has been effaced, sexting is a tool of choice for couples who wish to explore their sexuality. Behind every pose and every naked limb hides one of the greatest controversies of the internet and social media: privacy.
This virtual space stores every single step you make, each like, image, state, tweet and account created is forever stored in a server, whose interface can be visited by millions upon millions of people each second. Even if you delete an image you posted on the web, it is more than likely that it was replicated.
“When you send a sensual picture to someone, you don’t expect that part of your body, sexuality, and intimacy to fall on the lap of someone else, right?
This new conundrum and controversy is hinted at by Italian photographer, Marco Onofri. When you send a sensual picture, you don’t expect a stranger to set their eyes on it, do you? Tens of thousands of spectators from all walks of life are capable of latching onto the image and feel either indifference or excitement. They can run their eyes through the body, share, store, or delete it.
How can these images fall on the wrong hands? You only have to publish something on Facebook and cross your fingers it goes viral and reaches millions. The pillar behind sexting is trust in the other person who is the original recipient of the image. There is another greater and more imminent risk: the convoluted conditions of privacy of each website or social media platform. Edward Snowden showed us that there is another spectator in the peanut-crunching crowd: governmental agencies. We cannot forget the heavy presence of agencies like the NSA or FBI shadowing our every move. With impunity governments and companies can store every single activity and file and share it without compunction.
So, before you practice sexting and decide to share a part of your sexuality, think about the people who could be watching you. Make sure you take every precaution, safety measure, and most of all, be sure you are depositing your trust on the right person. Here are seven steps you can follow that can make sexting both a pleasurable and safe practice for you.
If you want to know more of Marco Onofri, check out his official website or Instagram.
