A recent study has reportedly found that teens who were involved in explicit sexting as sophomores are 32% more likely to have had sex in the next year than those who did not, according to the NY Daily News.

Dr. Jeff Temple, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical branch, reportedly studied the same students over the course of six years. The 974 students from southeast Texas that were involved in the study reportedly completed anonymous surveys regarding their history of sexting, sexual activity as well as other behaviors.

According to the study, active sexting, which is defined as sending an explicit photo, was linked to a higher likelihood of sexual activity. Asking for or receiving a photo, known as passive texting, was not correlated to an increased likelihood of sexual activity, according to the Daily Mail.

"So basically if a parent saw his kid had asked for a sext, that in and of itself isn't related to sexual behavior unless that kid also sent naked pictures of himself," Temple told Time.com.

The new study has reportedly found that sexting is now considered "first base," which originally consisted of holding hands, for teens because it is most often the first step that's taken before "real" sexual interaction.

"Sexting preceded sexual behavior in many cases. The theory behind that is sexting may act as a gateway or prelude to sexual behaviors or increases the acceptance of going to the next level," Temple told the Washington Post.

The culture of sexting has also brought on concern amongst parents as photos that are sexually explicit can very easily be shared and spread. Despite these concerns, the study's lead author noted that sexting can help with opening discussions about sexual health and other sex-related topics.

"The most thing that I find with this study and my studies on sexting is really that it offers an opportunity for parents or healthcare providers to talk to teens about sex and safe sex, and i think that's what we need to keep our eye on," explained Temple.