The influx of storage technology created an area that breeds an increase trust in sending explicit images and texts among teens. 

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit photos, videos or messages via cell phones.

According to Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), sexting has increased over the last eight years with 27 percent of teens receiving sexts and almost 15 percent of teens sending them.

The concern is that 12 percent send sexts without consent and 8.4 percent have received sexts without giving their consent.

“I feel like if you trust the person you’re sending it to and you’re comfortable, then do it. We’re old enough to know the risks and consequences with doing it,” freshman early childhood education major Tarvie Wilson said.

JAMA analyzed 39 longitudinal studies spanning 26 years with over 110,000 people.

It was revealed that one in four youth have received sexts. One in seven reported sending them.

According to the cyberbullying website, 61 percent of participants from the ages of 18 to 30 admitted to sharing nude photos of themselves with someone else, and 23 percent had been victims of revenge porn.

Despite the consequences, some have found loopholes into not getting exposed or caught with images.

“Don’t ever put your face in that because some people will expose you”, freshman elementary education major Brandon Williams said.

“If your face isn’t in the camera, no one can identify who you are. It’s less risky that way,” Williams continued.

According to the mobile media guard website, in the state of Louisiana, a minor or a person under the age of 17 who passes a sexually explicit image of themselves to another minor will have to attend mandatory counseling.

Minors found guilty of sending or possessing a sexually explicit image could receive up to 10 days in jail and up to a $250 fine for the first offense.

Sending indecent images are considered misdemeanors.

According to the criminal defense lawyer website, an adult or a person 17 or older, convicted of a sexting-related crime with a juvenile as a first-time offender “faces up to $50,000 in fines and between five and 20 years in prison.”

JAMA researchers continue to research non-consensual sexting that would lead to privacy legislation.