from www.unlvrebelyell.com – These days, celebrity sex tapes and nude photo scandals are a dime a dozen. They’ve become the standard for jumps tarting or reviving one’s career. Reality starlets (and vapid morons) Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian have set the new precedent. Keepin’ it classy ladies, solid career move.

For those completely removed from the celebrity realm, Scarlett Johansson [pictured] was recently the victim of a phone hacking scheme and is currently embroiled in a nude photo scandal. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake were also involved in the same hacking incident, allegedly sending naked photos to one another while filming the new movie Friends with Benefits. Sounds like friends with benefits indeed. Similarly, Blake Lively flashed gossip girls (and guys) all over the world with her nudie photos hacked from her phone earlier this year.

What makes Johannsen’s case a bit different is that she wo-manned up and admitted that the photos were authentic, instead of using the overused “Photoshop” excuse. To me, this is admirable. Some might think that nude messaging, or sexting, is inappropriate. Moral conundrums aside, it is commendable that Johannsen owned her sexuality. She was embarrassed that these intimate photos were leaked, not that she took them in the first place.

Now, pushing aside the ridiculousness that are the blunders of the rich and famous, Johannsen’s predicament brings up an interesting dilemma we find in many college relationships around the country: To sext or not to sext?

This form of digital intimacy has become the newest trend in spicing up one’s relationship. Thankfully none of our lives are as scrutinized as Johannsen’s. Goodness, what a nightmare that would be. But the lesson in her story applies to all of us: Safe sext.

This, like most things, should be a personal choice, not one dictated by pressure from peers or a significant other. If this is how you get down, that’s totally fine. Likewise, that’s cool if you’re not feeling it.

Just think about the potential ramifications of your actions and be sure you trust the person your sending those nudie knot photos to. For example, say your inner teenage angst gets the best of you and you suffer a tumultuous breakup with your significant other.

Let’s also say that this person, whom you thought you could trust, retaliates and shows those photos of your guy or lady bits to a group of his or her friends. Aside from the fact that this is outrageously illegal, your vulnerability is placed on display and not in a poetic Imogen Cunningham-esque way. Instead, you’re put on display in humiliating fashion.