One in 15 Dutch youngsters have sent piquant photographs of themselves to others, according to research by Bureau Jeugd & Media.

Sexting, or sharing sexually tinged photos, is particularly popular among 16 and 17-year-olds, the research group said. And four in 10 of the 1,000 12 to 17-year-olds questioned say they have had a request for such a photograph.

Researcher Justine Pardoen told broadcaster NOS that sexting has become a normal part of teenagers sexual development. However, youngsters don’t think about the consequences of sending such photographs, particularly if they are shared with others, she said.

‘That is when it becomes damaging,’ she said. Almost 25% of the teenagers in the survey said they had seen a nude photo of one of their peers.

Snapchat is the most popular medium for sexting, followed by WhatsApp.

Another survey about online safety and published by University of Amsterdam researchers shows just 3% of teens indulge in sexting. The difference could be explained by the fact parents were present in the university survey, NOS said.