Am I being groomed?
I (17m) connected with a man (currently 19m) about 2 years ago via Snapchat and we have texted off and on since. We bonded over similar interests mainly theater and music and in between that talked about some personal things but that was about it. For context, I know this person is real and I’m not in a catfishing situation. We have video called, voice texted and I follow him on multiple social media outlets and know things about his friends and family.
Only recently over these past few months things began getting slightly sexual, I knew from our first conversation he was gay and at the time I was straight. Since then, I have accepted that I am bi and open to being with a man. We exchanged in some dirty talk and he began sending me sexually explicit videos and images (sexting), he asked for my consent and it wasn’t just a random thing and though I wasn’t fond of the idea at first, I told him he could send them. When the sexting began I was less comfortable with my sexuality but I have since grown to like what he sent me.
Sexting has only happened on a few occasions and he made sure I was comfortable and he has always listened to my feelings. Mind you none of our sexting was saved or screenshotted, this was all on snap and I promised I wouldn’t save what he sends to me and vise versa.
I have never thought of this as a grooming situation but I explained what was going on to a group of my closest friends and some of them think I’m totally getting groomed and that I should block this person. They are worried for my safety but not to bring sexuality into this, I feel there is a disconnect with the two girls who are concerned about this they are straight and I don’t think they fully understand that there is no romantic connection here, it is really for sexual pleasure with occasionally some friendly conversation. This guy is just experienced in being in gay relationships and I want to familiarize myself with getting with men and I don’t think sexting is a horrible thing to be doing.
Finally, just to clarify I have never met this person and there is no plans too. We have joked around about it and there has been no sexting in weeks. What do y’all think, am I getting groomed and what are your thoughts on my friend’s opinions?