Reseña

This book explores the growing phenomenon of sexting among Colombian adolescents and its implications for law, psychology, and public policy. Drawing on a quantitative study of 242 students in Santa Marta, the authors reveal that nearly half of the participants engage in sexting, often without parental supervision or limits on internet use. The research highlights how this practice, while sometimes perceived as harmless, can lead to blackmail, coercion, emotional distress, and exposure to cybercrime.

A central finding is the strong link between sexting and negative emotions such as shame and guilt, alongside a decline in positive emotional expression. Family communication and parental monitoring emerge as crucial protective factors, capable of reducing risky behaviors and fostering resilience. The book situates these findings within a comparative legal framework, referencing Colombian, Mexican, and Spanish legislation, as well as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

By combining legal analysis with psychological insights, the authors propose preventive strategies centered on education, emotional support, digital responsibility, and inter-institutional collaboration. Ultimately, this work advocates for a preventive criminal policy designed to safeguard adolescents’ rights, promote healthy family communication, and strengthen social awareness against electronic violence in an increasingly digital world