58% of Nigerian social media users engage in sexting — Study

• Depression common with sexting

DESPITE Nigeria’s conservative cultural and religious background, 58% of respondents engage in sexting, highlighting a significant shift in digital intimacy norms within the country.

It also highlights the need to develop privacy awareness strategies that are tailored to the Nigerian context, and address unique cultural and societal dynamics.

In a new study, researchers had examined the sexting behaviour of Nigerian social media users and found a strong correlation between sexting and depression, with men sexters exhibiting higher depression levels than women.

Sexting, a blend of “sex” and “texting,” involves sharing explicit content of yourself or others via digital devices and communication channels like text messages, photos, or videos. Smartphones and the ease of sharing content have contributed to the spread of sexting.

The study entitled “Hidden desires, echoed distress: Dissecting Nigeria’s sexting landscape and its ties to depression” had shown notable gender differences in sexting and depression among 700 Nigerian social media users.

The researchers, with the help of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Sexting Behaviours and Motives Questionnaire, found that 58% of respondents engaged in sexting, a high percentage given the cultural conservatism of Nigeria.

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In addition, more than 41% admitted forwarding or having another forward sexted images or messages without the victims’ consent, increasing the risk of cyberbullying and subsequent mental health problems.

The study, published in Computers in Human Behaviour, suggests that despite regional cultural disparities, sexting behaviours are surprisingly uniform across Nigeria and underscores the urgent need for informed strategies addressing digital privacy, security, and mental well-being in the context of sexting in Nigeria.

People engage in sexting for various reasons. For example, many people use sexting to foster feelings of closeness and bonding in their relationships, while other individuals engage in sexting as a form of sexual exploration, allowing them to express their desires and fantasies. Sometimes, sexting can also be a way to seek attention and validation from others.

Nigeria has a relative prominence in the discourse about sexting within the African context. This has become rampant, as recently there have been very disturbing cases of leaked sexting, which has not only led to depression but even suicide in some cases.