Sexting—sending and receiving sexualized pictures via cell phone or computer—is already a serious problem among teens; but despite efforts to curb the practice, a handful of new programs may exacerbate the issue. Snapchat, an app that launched in 2011, allows users to take pictures and videos that self-destruct—typically after 1 to 10 seconds after being opened. It’s become wildly popular, with more than 50 million pictures taken using the app each day. Facebook recently launched a similar program called Poke. That’s an issue, considering the pressure to sext is growing ever stronger in some circles; and for some teens it’s normal flirting in the 21st century. “The access to hardcore porn on the Internet is definitely influencing what is and isn’t acceptable,” says Jon Brown of England’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. “It has upped the bar in terms of what people think is normal. Second, the diet of images and messages they get from music videos encourages people to think certain things are normal. Combine that with the hormones that are coursing through the veins of a teenager, and it becomes a potent mix.” (The Telegraph)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.