File this study under “Did we really need a study to tell us this?” According to research recently published in Pediatrics, young adolescents who sext—that is, send explicit photos or messages via smartphone—are more likely to engage in sexual activity.

The study examined the habits of 420 seventh graders—kids between the ages of 12 and 14. They found that about 22 percent of these students sexted. These students who sent suggestive messages or photos were up to seven times more likely to engage in sexual activities, ranging from touching genitals to engaging in intercourse.

Also telling: Youth who texted also felt their friends and family would be more approving of sexual activity. (Time)

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 his two children. Follow him on Twitter.