Dr. Temple will discuss sexting, cyber dating abuse, hooking up, and other aspects of dating in the digital age. Sexting has received an abundance of attention in the popular press. Much of this attention has been limited to (1) legal cases in which teens who create, send, receive, store, or disseminate nude pictures of themselves or another teen face criminal charges including child pornography, and (2) cases in which people are harassed and bullied as a result of the nude picture being distributed beyond the intended audience. Although media reports often cite various examples of sexting leading to bullying, cyberbullying, and even suicide, we understand very little about the public health importance of sexting. Using data from his ongoing longitudinal study of adolescent health, as well as recent meta-analyses, Dr. Temple will examine the prevalence of sexting behaviors as well as its relation to dating, sex, risky sex, and psychosocial health. He will also discuss his research on teen dating violence.

Dr. Venta will describe how recent changes in immigration policy/enforcement relate to mental health professionals. Background on migration to Texas from Mexico and Central America will be provided, as will data on risk and protective factors for psychopathology post-migration. At the end of the presentation, attendees will better understand immigration trends in Texas, the effects of recent changes in immigration policy/enforcement, and the mental health needs of recent immigrants.