Teen sexting may be a less common than originally thought, according to a new study.
    
New research published Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows only 1 percent of 10 to 17-year-olds have ever sent a sexually explicit picture over text messaging. Only 7 percent say they have ever received a suggestive text.
    
Researchers found that sexting was very rare among younger, pre-teens and only slightly more common in older teenagers. 
    
In the past, reports have suggested as much as 20 percent of teens have sexted.

Lead author Kimberly Mitchell of the University of New Hampshire says the new findings should reassure parents.