Current research knowledge about adolescent victimization via the Internet.
We review current knowledge about adolescent Internet-mediated victimization, including Internet-initiated sex crimes in which offenders use the Internet to meet victims, unwanted online sexual solicitations, Internet harassment, and unwanted and wanted exposure to online pornography. Internet-initiated sex crimes have received considerable publicity, but the media stories have contributed to stereotypes that do not accurately portray adolescent Internet experience. Adults' concerns are valid but need to be supported with information that illuminates the real safety issues and targets the specific population of youth impacted.
Wolak
Janis
J
Crimes Against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 10 West Edge Drive, Durham, NH 03824, USA. Janis.Wolak@unh.edu
Ybarra
Michele L
ML
Mitchell
Kimberly
K
Finkelhor
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004882:Erotica; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012919:Social Behavior; D035862:Vulnerable Populations