Sexting; modern technology or de-evolution

Sexting is described as v: text messaging with a highly sexual intent or content, v: the act of text messaging someone in the hopes of having a sexual encounter with them later; initially casual, transitioning into highly suggestive and even sexually explicit. 

The media has depicted this as a dangerous teen-aged phenomenon.  As thirteen-year-olds are being brought up on child pornography charges for disseminating images of themselves or their friends to one another, few are asking how the same technology is being used by other age brackets.  Countless articles exist on the dangers of social media, and how to protect your kids from it.  In truth, we as a society need to step back and realize what is going on here is a natural de-evolution of technology.  We are humans, and as such we are deeply interested in sex.  The advancement of cell phones and digital technology has made it easier than ever to “shop” for a potential partner as evidenced by this article by Wesley Tang in New York Magazine.

A recent article in AARP titled C*U*2nite: Sexting not Just for Kids  reveals those over 50 are sexting just as frequently and as explicitly as their younger counterparts.  The article seems to encourage the practice by describing it as “exciting” and “fun.”  The only difference perceived here is the discretion older sexters exhibit in redistribution.  Read this clip from the NY Times Blog Bits:

“when a boy misbehaving at a party took an explicit photo of himself with a cellphone and sent it to a girl in his class — an example of the high jinks known as “sexting.” She sent it to friends who sent it to friends until it reached 300 kids."

Now replace the gender titles with “man” and “woman” respectively, and imagine your father in the instigators role.  Seem far fetched?  You’d be surprised.

Sexting is a cross-gender, cross-generational practice.  The cell phone is a tool, just like a computer or a car.  I feel about as safe in a car with my 67 year-old dad, as I do with my 16 year-old nephew.  They both tailgate, roll through stops, and take corners a little too fast.  They both have cell phones - are we naive enough to think they aren't sexting?  My money says they do; both in their own way and both for their own reasons, be it raging teen-age hormones or boredom that leads to sex as entertainment.

I guess what I am getting at is the ability to text has just modernized a primal instinct - the desire to find a mate & have sex.  Perhaps it is the other way around.  Have our innate primal instincts de-evolved technology?   Food for thought . . .