Sexting may be the latest flirting tool for today's generation, but a new study says that it is fuelling casual sex among teenagers.

A team, led by Prof Andy Phippen at Plymouth University, has found a large number of teenagers in Britain are, in fact, turning web contacts into real life sexual relationships, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

The study, based on a survey of 16 to 24-year-olds, has revealed that one in 10 have made contact with people online and then subsequently met them in person to have casual sex.
The researchers have also found that 80 per cent said they had used a smartphone or the web for sexual purposes.

Prof Phippen expressed concerns about young people's sexual health in the wake of the findings. "On the one hand they are above the age of consent. But they are fairly young, may be naive and may not be as savvy as they think they are."

According to the survey, 88 per cent of the 16 to 24-year-olds agreed that technology has had a positive impact on their relationship, with 60 per cent of the respondents saying online activities formed a regular part of interaction.

"This survey is the first of its kind and provides us with brand new data on how young adults use technology in their intimate lives.

"This is just the beginning and there is still lots of research to be done in this area. However initial results suggest that young people feel technology is having a positive effect on their relationships," Prof Phippen said.

Titled The Use of Technology in Relationships, the study was conducted in association with the UK Safer Internet Centre, and based on 850 self-selecting individuals reporting their ages as between 16 to 24.