Fifteen percent of teenagers who have cell phones say they are involved in sexting, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project. The survey found that nearly 1 in 6 young people aged 12 to 17 has received a sexually suggestive, nude or nearly nude picture via cell phone.

A smaller number of teens — 4 percent — have sent pictures of themselves or others. The older the teen, the more likely his or her involvement; 8 percent of 17-year-olds say they have sent sexually provocative images by cell phone, and 30 percent of 17-year-olds say they have received such photos.

"That doesn't take into account the teens who see it over somebody else's shoulder or who hear about it in the hallways at school," says study author Amanda Lenhart. "Teens told us that it is something they have quite a bit of experience with. It's part of their daily lives."

Boys and girls are equal-opportunity sexters. The study found no significant differences between the genders in sending and receiving.

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