In the past, lovers exchanged letters or black-and-white photographs. Presently the opportunities for intimate communication have become much greater. In the era of digitalization, sexting began to take on new “structures”. The capabilities of modern instant messengers allow you to stay in touch in almost any environment, revealing the impressive scope for intimate creativity. Sexting usually contains text, emoji, photos, videos of an erotic nature, and it is also possible to send voice messages. The main goal of this technology is to make people fantasize!

What is sexting and what is its history?
The term ‘sexting’ comes from the word ‘Sex’ and ‘Text and it defines the exchange of exciting messages – erotic correspondence in “separation” or in anticipation of a hot meeting.
Sexting is a term that appeared in 2004, in The Globe and Mail Canadian newspaper. It happened shortly after the scandal with David Beckham, screenshots of whose intimate correspondence became public. In 2005, the word appeared in the Australian magazine The Sunday Telegraph. Almost immediately, sexting was included in the 12th edition of The Concise Oxford English Dictionary.
Is Sexting good or bad?
There is no definite answer, if sexting is good or bad, however, researchers from Indiana University believe that sexting is useful because the exchange of intimate messages and photos has its benefits:
*Reducing to zero the risk of getting pregnant and contracting sexually transmitted diseases;
*Exploring and bringing to life your sexual fantasies;
*Overcoming the shyness and getting rid of the constraints;
*Releasing sexual desires;
*Adding spice to your sex life
*Maintaining a long-distance relationship
*Getting closer to a partner in the incipient stage of your relationship;

Cautions and warnings!
Such correspondence may also be risky, based on a study made by a group of scientists from the University of Utah. Their study found that 25 % of people using sexting apps, forwarded the photos and videos obtained during the messaging to third parties.
Unfortunately, sexting sometimes can lead to unpleasant consequences such as:
*Violation of confidentiality;
*Intentional/accidental distribution of intimate materials;
*Inability to control person’s addiction and behavior;
*Accusations of distributing pornography;

However, sexting apps prioritize data security and the privacy of correspondence, but many of the users prefer using Instagram, Snapchat, and even Telegram. These apps offer you the feature to set your privacy settings, create secret chats, and change the time of content sharing.

Sexting rules? Oh, yeah!
Of course, there are rules that help keep users safe from unwanted consequences, so we are here to share them.

1 Don’t do sexting if you don’t want to!

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of sharing intimate photos, messages, etc., and your partner insists on it, you can say a ‘NO’! The main rule of sexting is mutual consent.

2 Use the app you trust the most.

As explained above, there may be some risky moments while sexting.

3 Make Sure You Trust Your Sexting Partner!

Make sure you trust your sexting partner, and a promise like “honestly, I won’t show anyone”, sometimes is not enough.

4 Take it slowly!

Do not rush things or put any pressure on the partner (it also helps to understand his/her intentions)

5 Set the rules and boundaries for playing.

Set the rules before any interaction. For example, you can ask the partner where the files will be stored later and how can he/she ensure your confidentiality. Clarifying these things from the very beginning of the conversation may reduce the risk of feeling uncomfortable.

6 Maintain anonymity.

If you are sexting a person from the Internet but not a permanent partner, the risks of “getting in trouble” are higher. However, if you are attracted by the idea, try to remain anonymous. Try not to talk about your personal life, location, workplace, and of course, do not show your face in the photos and videos.

7 Delete compromising evidence.

Try to regularly delete spicy messages from both chats and the gadget itself. Pay attention to the apps’ rules for deleting the messages.

8 Turn off automatic device syncing.

Hacking iCloud is extremely easy. Use a unique password and two-factor authentication, avoid cloud apps and turn off cloud sync.

9 Don’t ask for intimate photos and videos if you’re not ready to send them.

10 Take time for yourself after sexting.

Sexting can have a direct impact on your psychological state, so we advise you not to judge yourself and just analyze your words, emotions, feelings and reactions.

11 Warn about sending explicit media.

Always ask the partner if he is in a convenient place for “having fun”. Attention, when sending a photo, headline the message – NSFW (“Not Safe For Work”).

12 Learn Emoji codes

As usual, emoji “completes” the message meaning and gives the correspondence a playful tone and sometimes it perfectly replaces words.

Conclusion
Sexting can be the first step to an intimate relationship between partners. Also, it can be relevant for people having a long-distance relationship, or it can be the right solution for you in case you’re unable to satisfy sexual needs in real life. Even it may be risky, do not be afraid to express your sexuality. Most importantly, you are responsible for your own safety. Read more articles here