Children sometimes use the Internet to an even greater extent than adults do, which often puts them at risk. While some parents still choose to monitor their children’s online activity, others still remain unaware of the impact this technology has on children’s lives.

 

But at the same time, it is also important to note that children are usually exposed to offline threats just as much as they are exposed online, but youth at risk could also find easier ways of displaying signs that they need help online, rather than offline.

 

Sexual solicitation, which in some cases leads to offline encounters with the sexual predators, is one of the most problematic aspects of Internet. However, the report revealed that the rates have declined, and that only few solicitations result in offline contact.

 

The report also confirmed that female adolescents aged 14-17 receive most solicitations, followed by youth experiencing problems in their real lives as well, such as sexual or physical abuse. Teens aged 15-17 were found to be at the greatest risk, since they tend to engage in risky behavior and are more likely to communicate to strangers online.

 

Furthermore, it has also been confirmed that the image presented by the media of older male preying on young children is not accurate, and that in fact, sexual solicitations between minors should also be of concern. The report warns that although some technologies can be more easily leveraged than others for solicitation, the risk is primarily connected to the youth’s psychosocial profile and risky behaviors. Social networking sites have not been found to greatly influence the number of such online activities; chat rooms and instant messaging continue to be the places where most solicitations occur.

 

Regarding online harassment and cyberbullying, the report found it quite difficult to assess the rates due to the fact that there is still no clear definition for these terms. However, this is considered to be the risk youth are most exposed to online.

 

In addition to connecting users with people and places, the Internet also offers access to content that is considered problematic, such as violent media, pornography, but also hate speeches, or content depicting self-harm or that can be considered obscene.

 

The problem we’re facing at this point is that minors are easily exposed to such content, even if it is normally prohibited either by parents or by law. One reason of concern is that exposure to this content could leave behavioral or psychosocial marks on children.

 

But, the report also found that while the Internet is considered to be the greatest source for unwanted exposure to pornography, it is far from being the only one. Statistics have shown that younger children report encountering pornographic content offline (from sources such as TV or movies) more frequently than online.

 

The final conclusions of the study revealed that technology can play a role but should not be the sole input to improved safety for minors online, that youth online safety measures must be balanced against concerns for the privacy and security of user information, especially information on minors, and that developing technology standard metrics for youth online safety solutions would be useful.