Using open-ended questionnaires, this study investigates the relational, normative, gender, and age dynamics of adolescent sexting in the USA. In the study, boys and girls were equally likely to engage in sexting, but girls were more likely to feel pressure to do so, especially from boys. Whether they had sex or not, girls were frequently labelled severely (e.g., “slut”) but boys were essentially exempt from censure. The normative environment and the need for acceptance, despite some adolescents’ expressed concerns that sexting would harm their reputations, propelled some of them to engage in the behavior, according to research. In the discussion, implications and potential directions for further study are presented.