A modern danger for adolescents: from online flirtation to sexual abuse

Abstract

A modern danger for adolescents: from online flirtation to sexual abuse Objective: The Internet is an important communication tool facilitating access to information. Use of social media has been rapidly increasing among young people in Turkey. Thus, adolescents could be regarded to be at risk of online sexual abuse. This study evaluates Internet use as a means of child sexual abuse, looking at the reasons and personal and familial characteristics. Method: The study was performed with 3429 cases that presented to the Child Follow-up Center with the claim of child sexual abuse between January 2011 and December 2015. The case files were reviewed retrospectively and it was determined that 135 children had met with the abuser via Internet. Results: The vast majority (94.8%) of these 135 cases were female and the victims’ mean age was 15.61 years. It was found that 71.1% of the victims were exposed to penetration, and it was detected that 40.0% of the victims had physical signs of abuse. In addition, 11.1% of the victims were found to be pregnant. Also, low levels of socioeconomic status (97.8%) and of parents’ education (59.3%) were identified as familial risk factors. Conclusion: Education about safe use of the Internet, dissemination of interventions against cyberbullying, and conscious Internet use in populations at risk can be useful in preventing potential negative outcomes.