American Newsreel

Teenagers are expected to do outrageous things. It’s part of the ritual. But a new fad of sending nude pix of themselves over the Internet?

Reports Jan Jarvis of The Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram:

Most teenagers use Web sites to chat, instant message and disclose their most personal thoughts through blogs. But many do so without a second thought about who might see what they say.

Some don’t even hesitate to send nude pictures of themselves over the Internet.

Though they may be emboldened by technology, the reasons for such behavior have been consistent through generations, experts say.

“They believe they are bulletproof,” said David Welsh, a Fort Worth psychologist. “They’re really technologically sophisticated, but they may be socially naive.”

That could explain why more than two dozen teenage girls might have become part of a computer pornography collection police say was assembled by John Randolph Burk, 50, of southwest Arlington. Burk, who is out of jail on bail, faces multiple charges, including indecency with a child, sexual performance by a child and possession of child pornography.

Police say Burk persuaded at least two teenagers to pose for pornographic photos at his home and sexually assaulted one of them, a 14-year-old.

Why would young victims comply?

It’s for the same reason that teens often believe that they can use narcotics without becoming addicted or have sex without getting pregnant, other psychologists said.

Teens don’t fully understand the implications or risks of their behavior because their brains are still developing, said Thomas Van Hoose, a clinical psychologist with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“The part of the brain that governs judgment is the last to develop and may not until they’re 17- or 18-years-old, maybe even later,” he said. “They’re just not mature neurologically yet.”

In American society, Paris Hilton can become famous for making an amateur sex video, and pop star Britney Spears can grab top headlines for being photographed without underwear. So it is not surprising that some teens think that there’s nothing wrong with sending nude photos of themselves over the Internet, psychologists said.

“A lot of girls in this age group are very impressed with their growing bodies and the way they look,” said Mary Lynn Crow, a Fort Worth psychologist. Sending nude photos of themselves is a way to show off their maturing bodies from a distance, she said.

“They think it’s a mark of being cool and gives them bragging rights,” she said. “It’s daring, exciting and, they think, kind of safe.”