Are Teens Being Unfairly Punished? Applying the Dual Systems Model of Adolescent Risk-Taking to Sexting Among Adolescents. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhyner, Katlin J.; Uhl, Carolyn A.; Terrance, Cheryl A.
• Is Part Of: Youth justice. Volume 18:Number 1(2018:Apr.)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: adolescent development -- adolescent risk-taking -- sexting; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Youth -- Legal status, laws, etc -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.360941
• DOI: 10.1177/1473225417741227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-2254

Abstract

The current review frames an understanding of 'sexting' among adolescents within the dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking. Adolescent sexting has been growing in popularity in recent years. When adolescents share sexual images, they face the possibility of serious consequences in the United States, such as being added to the sex offender registry. The dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking suggests teenagers engage in risky behavior due to the under development of impulse control and a peak in reward sensitivity. It is argued that the possible legal consequences of teenage sexting do not fit the developmental level of teenagers.