Experiences and Perceptions of Online Sexual Solicitation and Grooming of Minors: A Retrospective Report

Greene‐Colozzi, Emily; Winters, Georgia M.; Blasko, Brandy L.; Jeglic, Elizabeth L.

doi:10.1080/10538712.2020.1801938

Cited by 32 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…According to the main mediators consent and commerce, the literature describes this subtype very differently: consensual non-commercial initiation of offline sexual encounters in digital contexts is often characterized as an interesting (albeit somewhat risky) opportunity to improve one’s social and sexual life ( Sevcikova and Daneback, 2011 ; Hobbs et al, 2017 ; Timmermans and Courtois, 2018 ; Wu and Ward, 2018 ; Jung et al, 2019 ). Attempts of non-consensual initiation of offline sexual encounters in digital contexts are described, however, as unethical and illegal grooming of children or harassment of adults ( Malesky, 2007 ; Thompson, 2018 ; Greene-Colozzi et al, 2020 ). When it comes to commercial sex, the literature acknowledges opportunities of reaching clients on social media or dating platform for self-determined sex workers of different genders and sexual identities ( Brennan, 2017 ; Kingston and Smith, 2020 ; Mergenthaler and Yasseri, 2021 ; Morris, 2021 ).…”

Section: Sexual Interaction Through Digital Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consent turned out to be a key mediator as non-consensual interactions were linked to negative ( Eaton et al, 2020 ) and consensual interactions to positive outcomes ( Lemke and Merz, 2018 ). Consent is relevant in that regard not only for non-commercial, but also for commercial interactions: While the possibility to advertise own sexual services online has been economically beneficial for many sex workers ( Mergenthaler and Yasseri, 2021 ), both private and commercial users are exposed to the risks of their intimate data being misused ( Beckham and Prohaska, 2012 ; Greene-Colozzi et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Sexual Interaction Through Digital Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Sexual Interaction in Digital Contexts and Its Implications for Sexual Health: A Conceptual Analysis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Based on its prevalence, there is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms, opportunities and risks of sexual interaction in digital contexts (SIDC) that are related with sexual arousal. While there is a growing body of literature on SIDC, there is also a lack of conceptual clarity and classification. Therefore, based on a conceptual analysis, we propose to distinguish between sexual interaction (1) through, (2) via, and (3) with digital technologies. (1) Sexual interactions through digital technologies are face-to-face sexual interactions that (a) have been started digitally (e.g., people initiating face-to-face sexual encounters through adult dating apps) or (b) are accompanied by digital technology (e.g., couples augmenting their face-to-face sexual encounters through filming themselves during the act and publishing the amateur pornography online). (2) Sexual interactions via digital technology are technology-mediated interpersonal sexual interactions (e.g., via text chat: cybersex; via smartphone: sexting; via webcam: webcam sex/camming). (3) Sexual interactions with digital technology occur when the technology itself has the role of an interaction partner (e.g., sexual interaction with a sex robot or with a media persona in pornography). The three types of SIDC and their respective subtypes are explained and backed up with empirical studies that are grouped according to two major mediators: consent and commerce. Regarding the causes and consequences of the three types of SIDC we suggest a classification that entails biological, psychological, social, economic, and technological factors. Regarding implications of SIDC we suggest to focus on both opportunities and risks for sexual health. The proposed conceptual framework of SIDC is meant to inform future research.

show abstract

Section: Sexual Interaction Through Digital Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sexual Interaction Through Digital Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Interaction in Digital Contexts and Its Implications for Sexual Health: A Conceptual Analysis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…8 For the forced image category and for voluntary older partner, only episodes in which images were actually provided were counted. 6,13,22 Nonconsensual Sexting…”

Section: Image-based Sexual Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Online Sexual Offenses Against Children in the US

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ImportanceSexual abuse is increasingly facilitated by technology, but the prevalence and dynamics of such offenses have not been well delineated, making it difficult to design prevention strategies.ObjectiveTo examine the frequency and characteristics of online and technology-facilitated sexual abuse against children and youth.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this nationally representative online survey study performed from November 19 to December 29, 2021, young adults aged 18 to 28 years were asked retrospectively about their childhood (&lt;18 years) experiences of online and technology-facilitated abuse. The 2639 participants were sampled from an online panel.Main Outcomes and MeasuresParticipants were asked questions about 11 different kinds of online and technology-facilitated sexual abuse with follow-up questions about their dynamics and offenders. Prevalence rates were calculated for several cross-cutting concepts (online child sexual abuse, image-based sexual abuse, self-produced child sexual abuse images, nonconsensual sexting, online grooming by adults, revenge pornography, sextortion, and online commercial sexual exploitation). Survey weights were applied to obtain population prevalence estimates.ResultsA total of 2639 individuals (48.5% male, 49.8% female, and 1.8% other gender; 23.7% Hispanic, 12.6% non-Hispanic Black, 53.9% non-Hispanic White, 4.8% other race, and 5.0% ≥2 races) were surveyed. Childhood (before 18 years of age) prevalence rates were as follows: online child sexual abuse, 15.6% (SE, 1.0%); image-based sexual abuse, 11.0% (SE, 0.9%); self-produced child sexual abuse images, 7.2% (SE, 0.7%); nonconsensual sexting, 7.2% (SE, 0.7%); online grooming by adults, 5.4% (SE, 0.5%); revenge pornography, 3.1% (SE, 0.5%); sextortion, 3.5% (SE, 0.6%); and online commercial sexual exploitation, 1.7% (SE, 0.3%). The prime age of vulnerability across all categories was 13 to 17 years. Perpetrators in most categories were predominantly dating partners, friends, and acquaintances, not online strangers.Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this national survey study suggest that a considerable portion of youth have experienced online child sexual abuse. Professionals planning prevention and intervention strategies for online sexual abuse should understand that dynamics include diverse episodes that are often extensions of dating abuse, sexual bullying, and sexual harassment, not only events perpetrated by adult internet predators.

show abstract

“…A recent retrospective study with adults from the US reported that 25% of respondents chatted to adults that they did not know whilst they were minors and 17% of the study participants were sexually solicited by adult strangers. Nine percent of the total 1,133 participates reported meeting the stranger in person while they were underage and a majority of these meetings (68%) resulted in sexual intercourse (Greene-Colozzi et al, 2020). Similarly, Koçtürk and Yüksel (2018) reported that 71% of offline meetings between minors (aged 9-18) who attended a child protection centre, and an online adult contact, resulted in sexual intercourse.…”

Section: Parental Mediation Of Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37 (23)(24) A lack of parental monitoring of media use (referred to in the literature as parental mediation) places children at greater risk of experiencing online sexual solicitation and exploitation (Greene-Colozzi et al, 2020;Helweg-Larsen et al, 2011;Marcum et al, 2010;Wolak et al, 2008). In one study, parental mediation of online activities significantly decreased the risk of online sexual victimisation, while the adolescent's knowledge of safe internet use did not (Helweg-Larsen et al, 2011).…”

Section: Np22380mentioning

confidence: 99%

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Parental Discussion, Protective Practices and Attitudes

Rudolph

Walsh

Shanley

et al. 2022

J Interpers Violence

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding parental practices and attitudes regarding child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention could be used to improve CSA prevention, but little information is available. In this study, we summarise survey data collected from 248 Australian and UK parents (87% female) with at least one child aged 6-11 years ( M = 8.6, SD = 1.8). This is the first study to quantify parental use of protective practices, other than prevention education, which may guard against CSA. Parental media mediation, which may safeguard against online dangers, was another unique focus of this study. Participants reported their discussion of sensitive topics with their children including CSA; behaviors that may reduce the incidence of CSA (e.g., monitoring, supervision, delegation of care and checking-in with the child); mediation of their child's media use; and attitudes towards CSA prevention education. Parents reported discussing sexual abuse less than other sensitive topics such as abduction dangers, drugs, and death but more than issues surrounding puberty, sex and pornography. Parents reported using high levels of protective behaviours, however some areas of concern were revealed. Of concern was the low-moderate level of parental media mediation, with substantial numbers of children potentially exposed to online risks such as using devices unsupervised in bedrooms or chatting to individuals unknown to their parents and not having their devices checked for concerning content. Almost all parents were supportive of CSA prevention education and felt they should provide this education. However, two-thirds of parents thought CSA education may be associated with harms for the child and two-thirds of parents believed children could prevent their own abuse. Reported results will aid in our understanding of which areas of parenting could be strengthened to create safer environments for children. This research has particularly highlighted the need for parents to be more protective around their children’s access to online devices.

show abstract

Experiences and Perceptions of Online Sexual Solicitation and Grooming of Minors: A Retrospective Report

Cited by 32 publications

References 19 publications

Sexual Interaction in Digital Contexts and Its Implications for Sexual Health: A Conceptual Analysis

Sexual Interaction in Digital Contexts and Its Implications for Sexual Health: A Conceptual Analysis

Prevalence of Online Sexual Offenses Against Children in the US

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Parental Discussion, Protective Practices and Attitudes

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About