YNOT – Hardly a week goes by without a politician or celebrity becoming involved in a scandal involving sex and mobile devices. Popularly known as “sexting,” the practice has ended careers and turned kids into criminals in places like Pennsylvania.

Is sexting a trend, or merely a salacious habit that affects only a few but attracts way more attention than it should? According to adult products retailer Adam & Eve, the latter is closer to the truth.

Among more than 1,000 adults Adam & Eve surveyed, more than half — 57 percent — said they had never sexted. Only 17 percent of respondents admitted ever having sent a sexually explicit message or nude photo over their phone. Another 25 percent said they had never even heard of sexting, and 2 percent preferred not to answer.

“I’m not surprised by these findings,” said Dr. Kat Van Kirk, Adam & Eve’s resident sex expert. “Sexting is a relatively new trend, and something a lot of older adults don’t feel comfortable participating in. We’ve seen what has happened with the personal photos from celebrities’ phones.

“While it can be exciting to send naughty pictures to your lover, I recommend using caution so these photos never end up in the wrong hands,” she added.

Adam & Eve Director of Marketing Chad Davis agreed.

“Adam & Eve encourages a positive attitude regarding all things sexual,” he said. “That said, adults who choose to sext should be aware of the risks involved.”

The web-based survey, conducted by an independent third-party survey company, was part of an ongoing effort sponsored by Adam & Eve to study sexual preferences and practices.