Unwanted Online Sexual Solicitation and Online Sexual Risk Behavior

Abstract

In recent years, there have been growing concerns about online sexual solicitations and online sexual risk behaviors. Recent studies suggest that only a minority of adolescents is confronted with online sexual solicitations or engages in online sexual risk behavior. Whereas more girls encounter incidences of online sexual solicitations, gender differences in online sexual risk behavior are relatively small. Older adolescents are more at risk of receiving online sexual solicitations and are also more likely to engage in online sexual risk behavior. Adolescents do not engage in online sexual risk behavior more frequently than adults, and they seem to be quite aware of the potential negative consequences of this behavior. Adolescents who encounter online sexual solicitations or engage in online sexual risk behavior typically also encounter problems in their offline lives.