Researchers find sexting, sexualized online activity significantly prevalent among sexually abused adolescents

SAN DIEGO — Study findings presented here at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting suggest sexual texting, online sexual solicitations and offline first-time meetings are significantly common among adolescents evaluated for suspected sexual abuse.

“It is estimated that more than 10% of youth have had problematic technology-facilitated experiences, including sexting. Because the subset of youth with current or historical offline sexual victimization may be at increased risk for online sexual solicitations, it is critical to study the online behaviors of these youth,” Corey J. Rood, MD, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and colleagues wrote.

Corey J. Rood

To determine prevalence of sexual texting or “sexting,” online sexual solicitations and offline, in-person contact with someone met online, researchers analyzed survey responses from 100 children and teens aged 12 to 17 years who presented to the Child Advocacy Center for evaluations for suspected sexual abuse.

Overall, 74% of study participants experienced at least one problematic technology-facilitated experience and 50% experienced at least five.

Fifty-seven percent of the study cohort reported they have been asked to send a nude or nearly nude photo or video of themselves. Twenty-one percent have sent this type of image, 42% have received a nude or almost nude image and 10% have posted a nude or almost nude image of themselves online.

Approximately one-third of the study cohort have had personal sexual information solicited while online and 43% were asked to perform a sexual act.

More than 43% of study participants reported they have met someone aged younger than 18 years, who they first met online, in-person. Twenty-four percent reported they have met someone aged older than 18 years, who they first met online, in-person.

Study participants aged 14 years and older were significantly more likely to report exposure in many categories compared with those aged younger than 14 years (P ≤ .05).

“Adolescents with a history of offline sexual victimization may demonstrate increased sexting activity and be at increased risk of online sexual solicitations making them vulnerable to re-victimization,” Rood said in a press release. “It is imperative that we understand these electronic activities in this population as they may warrant unique prevention and intervention strategies.” – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Rood CJ, et al. Abstract #4540.8. Presented at: Pediatric Academic Societies 2015; April 25-28, 2015; San Diego.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.