Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
Sexting: a potential addiction or an adaptive behavior to COVID-19 social distancing and stay-at-home policies? A
Pasquale Caponnetto1,2,3, Flavia Francesca Gervasi1, Marilena Maglia1,2,3
1Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
In the early 2020s, the world was challenged by the COVID-19 emergency. Due to the dangerousness of the virus, the main intent of each country involved was to limit the diffusion in order to contain the damage caused by the pandemic. An aspect that has been deeply changed by self-isolation -used as a measure of containment of the virus- is related to sexuality. A practice that assumes importance in this sense is sexting, i.e., the act of sending/receiving sexually explicit messages, photos or videos via device. This practice allows a certain level of intimate behavior while eliminating the possibility of contagion. This study aims - through a qualitative survey - to investigate whether sexting is perceived as a potential addiction or adaptive sexual behavior to social distancing and lockdown policies by COVID-19. In order to do this, 37 subjects aged between 19 and 39 years were recruited - through probability sampling. We used the semi-structured interview method and then, through thematic analysis of the interviews, it emerged that, according to our sample, sexting was perceived to be more of an addiction than an adaptive behavior; despite this, it is possible that the practice of sexting has changed with the current societal situation.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Formation
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Social Exchange Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Horney's Sociocultural Approach

