For children of any age the Internet opens up a world of possibilities for learning and exploring. Unfortunately, it also presents some risks.
Child victimization
- Approximately 1 in 25 youth received an online sexual solicitation where the solicitor tried to make offline contact.1
- Only 27 percent of children who received unwanted sexual material online in that time period told a parent or guardian.2
- In more than one-quarter (27%) of incidents, solicitors asked youth for sexual photographs of themselves.3
Online Harassment
- Nine percent of youth Internet users said they were harassed online in a one-year period of time.4
- More than one-third of harassed youth (38%) found the incident distressing and a larger proportion were driven to disclose what happened, than youth with unwanted sexual solicitations or exposures to sexual material in that time period.5
Exposure to inappropriate content
- Approximately one-third (34%) of children ages 10 to 17 were exposed to unwanted sexual material on the Internet in a one-year period of time.6
resources for families
Perhaps one of the most alarming findings comes from a recent survey, many of whom admitted they knew very little about their teen's Internet activities. Fortunately, the survey also shows when parents and guardians talk to their teens about online safety their exposure to potential threats decline and they make safer decisions.
For more ideas and activities that help kids learn about Internet safety, visit www.NetSmartz.org Or, download our safety tips poster and list of chat abbreviations.
If you believe a child is in danger, immediately report it to your local police, and be sure to leave the computer untouched. Then, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) by visiting www.cybertipline.com or calling 1.800.THE.LOST(1.800.843.5678).
Footnotes
1. Source: Janis Wolak, Kimberly Mitchell, and David Finkelhor. Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later. Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2006, page 37.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid., page 39.
5. Ibid., page 41.
6. Ibid., page 1.
7. Source: Survey conducted by Cox Communications, in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
