Perceptions of Adolescent Sexting: A Cross-Cultural Study of Israeli and Italian Parents

Adolescent sexting is an increasingly normalized phenomenon situated at the intersection of sexual development, peer culture, and digital communication. While consensual sexting may support intimacy and identity exploration, concerns persist regarding coercion, peer pressure, and non-consensual distribution. This cross-cultural qualitative study explores how Israeli and Italian parents perceive adolescent sexting and interpret their educational responsibilities in addressing it. Drawing on a descriptive phenomenological approach, 54 in-depth interviews were conducted with parents of adolescents (aged 12–18) in Israel and Italy, recruited through purposive sampling via community and professional networks. Analysis followed systematic phenomenological thematic procedures, including identification of meaning units, cross-cultural clustering of themes, and iterative binational consensus meetings. Thematic analysis revealed three central themes: parents’ interpretations of sexting, perceived risks and gendered vulnerabilities, and educational strategies for prevention and guidance. Findings highlight that while parents across both cultures recognize their role in educating youth about digital sexual behaviors, they often experience discomfort, uncertainty, and a tendency toward reactive or restrictive mediation. Cultural context significantly shaped parental responses: Israeli parents more frequently framed sexting as a matter requiring structured school and state based intervention, whereas Italian parents more often emphasized family responsibility, relational trust, and general value-based education, positioning schools as supportive rather than leading actors. Despite shared emotional tension and ambivalence, parents in both settings expressed a desire for open, supportive communication but lacked practical tools to initiate such dialogue. These findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions targeting parental communication self-efficacy, including structured parent-training modules, school-family partnership programs, and developmentally adapted guidance on how to discuss consent, privacy, peer pressure, and digital boundaries without inducing shame.