Nonconsensual sexting experiences are associated with bullying and online gossiping victimization among early adolescents in Nicaragua

Background Nonconsensual sexting experiences are a form of image-based sexual abuse that can have serious consequences for the victim. Prior work has found that the forwarding of sexts can happen in negative peer contexts, such as bullying and online gossiping victimization. This study aims to examine the associations between: (1) two distinct types of nonconsensual sexting experiences (i.e. receiving unsolicited forwarded sexts and having one’s own sexts forwarded without consent), and (2) bullying victimization and online gossiping victimization among early adolescents in Nicaragua, whose experiences are largely absent from existing studies. Methods The dataset used was collected as part of a larger cross-sectional survey study in Nicaraguan secondary schools and included 4007 youth (51.3% female; n = 2056 females) aged 11–14 years, surveyed in 2019 (M = 12.69, s.d. = 0.92). Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the data. The dependent variables were bullying victimization and online gossip victimization. The independent variables were receiving unsolicited forwarded sexts, having one’s own sext forwarded to someone else without consent, age and sex. Results The results indicate that receiving unsolicited forwarded sexts is associated with both bullying and online gossiping victimization. Having one’s own sext forwarded to someone else without consent was associated with online gossiping victimization. Conclusions The findings tentatively suggest that education about sexting should be embedded within broader discussions about respectful and healthy (digital) relationships.