9 Controversial Sexting Scandals (PHOTOS)

Text messaging has been on the rise. According to the Nielsen company, SMS exchanges exceed mobile calls in the United States. At the same time, sexting--sending explicit photos or messages via cellphone--has emerged as a new form of flirting: Married adults have used 'sext messaging' to carry on illicit affairs, singles have used the digital notes to 'fool around,' and teens (and tweens) have taken part.

From Tiger Woods to Jesse James, sexting has been in the limelight recently for offering incriminating evidence of illicit behavior. The New York Times calls sexting 'the new lipstick on the collar' and reminds us 'that everything digital leaves a footprint.'

There has been a rash of sexting scandals recently, from celebrities to students. The allegations range from adulterous to inappropriate to downright illegal.