WASHINGTON - Flirting. The dictionary describes it as "a social interaction in which one person obliquely indicates a romantic and/or sexual interest toward another."

Yet, with today's digital mobile technology young people are taking human communication to a new, risky level, sending sexually explicit text messages and photographs in a phenomenon that's been labeled "sexting."

All this week, in "Hit 'Send' for Sex," WTOP talks with the young people who sext. You'll hear from parents of high school students as they attempt to keep their children safe. The series also discusses the legal implications of the transmission of naked or suggestive pictures of young people.

Series producer Carly Rubel interviewed several young men and women over 18 about their sexting practices. Granted anonymity, they share their innermost feelings: Why they do it; how they do it; when they do it; and with whom they do it.

While many parents interviewed by WTOP's Patricia Guadalupe hope and believe the sexting ends with images and words, WTOP learns instant cyber-interaction often leads to real-world sexuality -- one young woman acknowledges sexting "is almost a form of foreplay."

The problem of sexting is national in scope. Children are unaware of the consequences of their actions. That has police and prosecutors looking at current and possibly future laws to determine how to protect children and the community from sexual predators.

Listen to the series on the left and learn the powerful impact of sexting.

Part 1: What is sexting?
Sending these messages is becoming more common among teens.

Part 2: When and how do young people sext?
What makes someone send a sexually explicit message?

Part 3: How aware are parents of sexting?
Parents talk about the images their children are receiving.

Part 4: Is sexting against the law?
A prosecutor weighs in on what young people find to be fun and flirtatious.

Part 5: Why would a young person send a revealing picture?
Alcohol factors in, and so does the need for attention.

Part 6: Do young people worry about the risks of sexting?
The answer may surprise you.

Part 7: Where does sexting lead?
Young people say it leads to the real thing.

Part 8: How prevalent is sexting?
Sexting is a nationwide problem in high schools.

What can parents do?
Parents need to mix high tech know-how with traditional values.

What are the long-term consequences of sexting?
Children may not realize exactly who sees what they send.

(Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)