The day Pete Wentz’s nude photos surfaced on the Web changed the way we text and share images forever.

Wentz, bassist for the band Fall Out Boy, was participating in what we now coin as sexting, sharing nude photos and sexual comments via text messaging.

Going in and out of bars and conducting on-the-spot interviews, I was able to put together a modern definition of sexting.

Sexting is cyber sex through texting, which leads to the exchange of nude photos. Although lots of people are engaging in sexting these days, not everyone is a fan.

Will Merlot, an English major, thinks the whole idea of sexting is repulsive.

“I think that sexual experience should be between two people interacting between themselves not over a phone line or over a communication device or texting,” Merlot said. “I think sexting is ridiculous.”

While some find sexting disgusting, others find it as a truly amazing way to use technology.William Kendall, a junior art history major, enjoys using this new technology to add spice to his sex life.

“I feel like sexting is just a natural progression of human sexuality,” Kendall said. “I mean humans get pleasure from sex, it is one of the major things that drives us. Why would we not use this new technology in a way that would better enhance our sex lives?”

I can smell a new iPhone app already. Sexting can be positive for some but negative if it’s unwelcome. Most people felt that sexting should be held under the same laws and rules of physical sex.

“Sexting should be a consensual text message or communication between two adults,” Kendall said.

On the other hand, others viewed sexting as just a picture or a harmless dirty comment. Miriam Porre, a political science major, doesn’t consider a random nude picture as sexual harassment.

“I don’t feel like it’s hurting someone physically or emotionally,” Porre said. “If it was hurting someone physically or emotionally then it might be like a type of abuse. I don’t see a picture as abuse, it’s just a picture.”

The potential for sexting to lead to sexual harassment is definitely a concern.

“Anything that makes another human being uncomfortable is sexual harassment, and if someone is sending you naked pictures without your consent then that’s sexual harassment,” Kendall said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s from a cell phone or if it’s from a computer or if it’s from face-to-face interaction – it’s sexual harassment and that’s a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.”

The government is doing its part to deal with concerns about sexting and Illinois has approved a bill dealing with the exchange of nude photos.

According to uslaw.com, Illinois House Bill 2537 enforces fines on those sharing nude photos without consent and in some cases this practice will be dealt with as a criminal offense including jail time.

So then there’s the question of “how young is too young to sext?”

“Nine!” Brandon Nelson joked. “No, but I think it’s OK for high schoolers to do it.”

Nelson admitted to sexting in high school as well as Kendall.

“I used to do it with my first boyfriend when I was a senior in high school. But even before I was a senior in high school I was very experimental with sexuality,” Kendall said.

Some feel that people should be a certain age before sexting or even being interested in sex.

“If you’re too young to drive then you shouldn’t be sexting and you shouldn’t be sexual,” Porre said.

Parents seemed to have a vastly different outlook on sexting.Becky Wesh, a Charleston resident and parent, disapproves of sexting at any age.

“I would never try it and would be upset if my kids engaged in it,” Wesh said.

Sexting can be an exciting experience but it can also open the door for things like child pornography and sexual harassment. With technology today things like this are constantly emerging and there will always be fans and skeptics.

“When it comes to sexting, if it’s with someone I know and trust. I mean why not?” Porre said. “Who’s getting harmed in it? No one. It’s like a whole new way of pleasuring your partner.”

Megan Tkacy can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].