Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Minors for Online Sexual Solicitations and Interactions With Adults.

 

The research on online child sexual victimization has mainly focused on the sexual solicitation of minors (i.e., sexual requests  by an  adult),  with scarce  information available  on sexual interactions (e.g., cybersex or meeting in person) in which a minor is exploited by an adult. In the present study, we analyzed the prevalence and risk factors associated with both sexual solicitations and interactions of minors with adults. The sample included 2,731 minors between

12 and 15 years old (50.6% female). The minors completed several self-report questionnaires

about sexual solicitations and interactions with adults, including possible risk factors (e.g., sociodemographic variables, Internet use, and psychological adjustment). Of the participants,

15.6% of girls and 9.3% of boys reported sexual solicitations, and 8.2% of girls and 7.4% of boys  reported  sexualized  interactions  with  adults.  Among the  variables  studied,  several appeared related to both sexual solicitations and interactions: older age, having been involved in sexting, being a victim of cyberbullying, having unknown people in friends list, using chat, time spent online on a weekday, and depression symptoms. Gender (being female), using video chat, and instant messaging by computer were significant variables for sexual solicitation but not for sexual interaction; participation in online games was significant only for sexual inter- actions. Finally, minors reporting sexual interactions presented a higher risk profile than those reporting  only sexual solicitations. These findings highlight the relevance of distinguishing between sexual solicitations and sexual interactions and suggest important avenues for preven- tion programs.

 

Cita: Patricia de Santisteban & Manuel Gámez-Guadix (2017): Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Minors for Online Sexual Solicitations and Interactions With Adults, The Journal of Sex Research. 

 

Fuente consultada: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2017.1386763