By Arielle Tschinkel, INSIDER

• Lots of people are sexting, but not everyone is doing it safely. 
• Sexting may be fun, but that doesn't mean it's safe.
• Between photo hacks and revenge porn, there's no foolproof way to ensure your privacy.
• INSIDER spoke with experts about the best ways to sext to keep you safe.
• Practicing consent, using the right apps, and turning off your iCloud can all help.
• Visit INSIDER.com for more stories.

Sexting is extremely common these days. Recent studies say 74% of American adults and 67% of international adults admit to sending or receiving explicit texts, photos, or videos, and most of them say they are in committed relationships.

But it's not just coupled-up adults that are sexting — sexting among teens has increased, with a 2018 study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealing that 14.8% and 27.4% of teens admitting to sending and receiving sexts, a number that has steadily increased since 2009, when smartphones and tablets began to gain prevalence for many people.

By VoyageATL

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Coats.

Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.

I consider myself fortunate that from a young age I was able to identify my passion. My journey to becoming a psychotherapist started with inspiration from my mother. She would consistently remind me that the people around me had a story worth hearing, and to be curious, not judgmental about others’ experiences. We traveled together. Despite the fact that she was a single mother working four jobs, she somehow managed to find the time, energy, and resources to introduce me to a world full of vibrant and amazing people. I became fascinated by the stories I heard, lessons I learned, and the resilience of the human spirit.