High texting rates mediate oral sex and intercourse experience in a longitudinal study of high school students

• I surveyed 366 adolescents (13–17 years) about their technology use and sexual development.
• I examined which technologies mediate changes in sexual development over a two-year period.
• Higher levels of texting were linked to gains in oral sex and sexual intercourse experience over time.

PurposeFew studies link technology use to normative sexual outcomes despite concerns that high use may be accelerating sexual development. This study used longitudinal online survey data to predict sexual development (having had a boyfriend or girlfriend, first oral sex, first intercourse) and tests for mediation by four types of technology use common among adolescents: texting (from a mobile phone), general Internet/computer use, video gaming, and watching television.MethodsParticipants were 366 adolescents (37% male; 13–17 years) from eight Eastern Canadian high schools. All participants completed a range of measures assessing demographic information, sexual and relationship histories, and recent use of technologies. Participants (72%) completed the survey at a follow-up assessment two years later.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, higher levels of texting mediated the relationships in reports of both oral sex and sexual intercourse over time. The association between texting and sexual intercourse was moderated by parental closeness. No other technology was linked to sexual outcomes.ConclusionsTexting appears to have unique features not shared by the other technologies, possibly related to its highly interactive nature. Insights regarding these outcomes are of value given the rapid uptake of new technologies by youth. Findings are discussed in terms of the role of technology in helping to meet intimacy and relational needs common to adolescents.