Association Between Online Privacy Cognitions and Sexting in a Sample of U.S. Adolescents

Sexting is increasingly common among adolescents; early engagement has notable health implications. Using logistic regression, we examined associations between online privacy cognitions (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control; measured using the Adolescent Cognitions about Online Privacy scale) and sending and receiving sexts in a sample of 10–14-year-olds (N = 960). Age, gender, race, and impulsivity were included as covariates. Specifically, more privacy-protective attitudes were associated with a lower likelihood of sending sexts (AOR = .724, [95% CI .635–.826]). Greater privacy-related subjective norms (i.e., viewing others’ thoughts and behaviors as privacy-promotive) were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving sexts (AOR = .602, [.477–.761]). Impulsivity was associated with a greater likelihood of both sending (AOR = 1.430, [95% CI 1.013–1.746]) and receiving (AOR = 1.392, [1.248–1.554]) sexts. White race was associated with sending (AOR = 1.330, [1.013–1.746]) sexts. Better understanding adolescent privacy cognitions may illuminate potential intervention targets for digital risk behaviors.