Dangers Online

The Internet is an exciting and evolutionary medium that has expanded and enriched the lives of millions. Unfortunately, it has also resulted in offensive, distressing and sometimes dangerous online experiences for many young people. A national survey1 involving a representative sample of youth ages 10 to 17 years old found:

About one in seven received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the last year.

One in three was exposed to unwanted pictures of naked people or people having sex in the last year.

Approximately one in twenty-five received an aggressive sexual solicitation in which the sender asked to meet them somewhere; called them on the telephone, sent them e-mails, money or gifts.

The survey also found that 70% of those solicited were females and almost 20% of those solicited were 10 to 13 years old. Surprisingly, only 16% of those solicited told a parent or guardian.

Social Networking Sites

In recent years there has been escalating use of social networking sites (such as Facebook and MySpace) by teens and pre-teens. According to a September 2009 Pew Internet Survey, 93% of US teens ages 12-17 go online, and of those, 73% use an online social networking website. Young people use these websites to communicate with friends, to post photos, to meet new people, etc. Unfortunately, these websites also provide sexual predators with a wealth of personal information on thousands of children and can put vulnerable children at considerable risk.

Although social networking sites typically require users to be at least 14 years old to register and post profiles, pre teens and young teens are creating websites in droves and some, mimicking older users, display provocative photos of themselves to grab attention and frequently add a few years to their online profiles. While terms of use, require that users not include telephone numbers, last names or addresses, users often provide other detailed information about themselves ( e.g., their photo, school, daily activities, locations frequented) which erases any attempt at anonymity.

Sexual predators use social networking sites and chat rooms to hide their true age, identity and motives for interaction. They spend time building trust with their victims by appearing "cool," concerned and understanding. In time, through manipulation and increased knowledge of the victim, predators start to introduce sexual topics and the possibility of meeting the youth face-to-face.

Characteristics of Vulnerable Youth

Research2 has shown that certain characteristics are common among young people who develop close relationships with those they have met online. Some of these characteristics include:

  • girls aged 14 to 17
  • boys who have low communication with their parents and whose parents have little knowledge of their friends and where they spend their time
  • youth in households with a high level of parent-youth conflict
  • youth suffering from troubling life events, depression, or prior victimization
  • youth who report high levels of Internet use

Cyberbullying

While sexual solicitations and unwanted exposure to sexual material online are often cited as key online dangers for youth, online bullying or cyberbullying, which often includes sexual harassment, has become a serious concern.

Using digital media, cyberbullies employ tactics such as sending demeaning or cruel comments, spreading trusted information or lies, incessant "checking in" with another, and impersonating a peer and distributing embarrassing, hurtful messages. According to a 2009 MTV/Associated Press survey, 47% of teens have experienced some form of digital abuse.

While cyberbullying can cover a range of behaviors, sexual harassment is often involved. Body rating, sexual putdowns, and spreading sexual rumors have moved beyond the school yard and cafeteria into cyberspace. The anonymity of cyberspace and the incredible speed and reach achieved at the click of a key has made this form of sexual harassment particularly devastating for young people.

Sexting, the use of a cell phone or other electronic device to distribute pictures or video of sexually explicit images, has become increasingly more commonplace among youth. According to a 2008 survey3, 20% of teens have sent nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves to people they know. This trend has resulted in serious legal concerns when it entails the breaking of child pornography laws. Further, while the sexually explicit content being shared among teens is usually intended for a boyfriend or girlfriend, over one third of teens report that it is common for this content to be disseminated beyond the intended recipient, which can result in serious impacts to the victim.

Tragic news stories about vulnerable youth who committed suicide in response to a damaging sexting episode or other forms of cyberbullying emphasize the need to address this critical issue. Sadly, cyberbullies seldom see or understand the harm they cause and too often other young people unwittingly participate in the dissemination of damaging online content.

Protecting Youth from Online Dangers

Educating young people about online dangers is a critical step in reducing the risk of victimization by online sexual predators and cyberbullies. Also, through education it is hoped that more child victims will reach out to their parent or another concerned adult for help.

Resources:

www.netsmartz.org provides a wealth of current information on internet issues and an array of educational tools.

www.cybertipline.com provides national reporting of online sexual exploitation of children.

The Hawaii State Department of the Attorney General provides education and prevention resources to protect Hawai‘i's children in cyberspace.

References

(1) David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell, and Janis Wolak. 2006. Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation's Youth: Five Years Later. Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

(2) David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell, and Janis Wolak. "Escaping or connecting? Characteristics of youth who form close online relationships." Journal of Adolescence 26, 2003.)

(3) www.TheNationalCampaign.org/sextech