title: Adolescents' self-presentation on a teen dating web site: a risk-content analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analzye adolescents' profiles on MyLol.net, a teen dating Web site, for risk content. We hypothesized that risk content would vary by age and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected and coded 752 publicly viewable profiles of adolescents aged 14-18 years for the following five risks: sex, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and violence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total profiles, 27.7% contained risk-related content: 15.8% sexual behavior, 13.8% alcohol use, 1.6% drug use, 6.8% cigarette smoking, and .9% violence activity. Being female, "single" relationship status, and use of profanity (p < .05) were associated with risk content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Females' profiles were most likely to include risky content, especially sexual content. Adolescent females who have internalized social norms that place a high value on female sexuality may reflect this in their online profiles. Online mention of interest/involvement in risky behavior may have negative consequences (e.g., cyberbullies and sexual predators). Stronger universal Internet policies and education are needed to help protect adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. moulinpuj@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pujazon-Zazik
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Manasse
authors.forename: Joan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Orrell-Valente
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D061108:Social Media; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data