Internet connectivity in the form of blogs, chat rooms and forums can be hazardous to today’s teens. These online communication aids are not themselves the problem – Rather, teens face an ever-present threat of being sexually solicited online.
For example teens may be persuaded to discuss sex with someone, do something sexual, or disclose personal sexual information. This can happen when an adult initiates a nonsexual relationship with a child or adolescent online, builds trust, and then seduces him or her into sexual acts. Similarly, online seduction can also occur between peers.
Studies find that teens most at risk for being approached sexually online are more likely to be female and between the ages of 14 and 17 years. Teens who are depressed and who have experienced negative life transitions such as moving to a new neighborhood or a death or divorce in their family are especially vulnerable. Also, teens who use the internet more frequently – 4 or more days a week at 2 or more hours a day and who engage in high-risk online behavior are more likely to be approached sexually online.
Ways to keep your teen safe online include: (1) keeping computers with internet access in a centralized location in the home; (2) educating your child or preteen about potential dangers and devising ways to handle online solicitation; and (3) setting ground rules for internet use such as scheduled times, permissible websites, and limiting online communication to familiar peers. Although there is a big scary cyberworld out there, the family and home can be a safe haven for teens.
Listen to the Podcast: Sexual Solicitation
Written by Kate Fogarty
Reviewed by Suzanna Smith and Donna Davis
Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.
References
Mitchell, K.J., Finkelhor, D., & Wolak, J. (2001). Risk factors for and impact of online sexual solicitation of youth. JAMA, 285, 3011-3014.
Ybarra, M., Leaf, P., & Diener-West, M. (2004). Sex differences in youth-reported depressive symptomatology and unwanted internet sexual solicitation. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 6, no pagination specified.
Resource
OnGuard Online.gov Social Networking Sites: Tips for Teens and Tweens Online
Labels: Family Album Radio, parenting
