Risk Factors for and Impact of Online Sexual Solicitation of Youth

Kimberly J. Mitchell

318 citations0/0 files storedJAMA

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Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies Impact of Technology on Adolescents Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Abstract

CONTEXT: Health care professionals, educators, and others are increasingly called upon to advise parents and policymakers about risks posed to children by Internet use. However, little scientific information exists on the experiences of children online. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors surrounding online sexual solicitations of youth and distress due to solicitation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Telephone survey (August 1999-February 2000) of a random sample of 1501 youth aged 10 through 17 years who were regular Internet users. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with solicitation risk and distress due to solicitation. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of youth who used the Internet regularly were the targets of unwanted sexual solicitation in the last year. Girls (P<.001), older teens (P =.005), troubled youth (P =.004), frequent Internet users (P =.01), chat room participants (P<.001), and those who communicated online with strangers (P<.001) were at greater risk. Twenty-five percent of the solicited youth reported high levels of distress after solicitation incidents. Risk of distress was more common among the younger youth (P =.005), those who received aggressive solicitations (the solicitor attempted or made offline contact) (P =.001), and those who were solicited on a computer away from their home (P =.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many young people who use the Internet encounter unwanted sexual overtures. Health care professionals, educators, and parents should be prepared to educate youth about how to respond to online sexual solicitations, including encouraging youth to disclose and report such encounters and to talk about them.

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2000Online victimization: A report on the nation’s youth.1994Children as Victims of Violence: A National Survey 1996Is youth victimization related to trauma symptoms and depression after controlling for prior symptoms and family relationships? A longitudinal, prospective study.1999Risk Factors for Rape, Physical Assault, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women 1999The Parent's Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace

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2003Problematic internet use: Proposed classification and diagnostic criteria 2006Connecting developmental constructions to the internet: Identity presentation and sexual exploration in online teen chat rooms.2005Sexual Harassment on the Internet 2004Internet-initiated sex crimes against minors: Implications for prevention based on findings from a national study 2012A review of young people's vulnerabilities to online grooming

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