Examining the overlap in Internet harassment and school bullying: Implications for school intervention

Ybarra ML, Diener-West M, & Leaf PJ. Examining the overlap in Internet harassment and school bullying: Implications for school intervention. J Adolesc Health. 2007;41(6 Suppl 1):S42-50. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.004 Abstract: PURPOSE: As more and more youth utilize the Internet, concern about Internet harassment and its consequences for adolescents is growing. This paper examines the potential overlap in online and school harassment, as well as the concurrence of Internet harassment and school behavior problems. METHODS: The Growing Up with Media survey is a national cross-sectional online survey of 1588 youth between the ages of 10 and 15 years old. Our main measures were Internet harassment (i.e., rude or nasty comments, spreading of rumors, threatening or aggressive … [Read more...]

The co-occurrence of Internet harassment and unwanted sexual solicitation victimization and perpetration: Associations with psychosocial indicators

Ybarra ML, Espelage DL, Mitchell KJ. The co-occurrence of Internet harassment and unwanted sexual solicitation victimization and perpetration: Associations with psychosocial indicators. J Adolesc Health. 2007;41(6 Suppl 1):S31-41. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.010 Abstract: PURPOSE: Previous research in offline environments suggests that there may be an overlap in bullying and sexual harassment perpetration and victimization; however to what extent this may be true for perpetration and victimization of Internet harassment and unwanted sexual solicitation is unknown. METHODS: The Growing Up with Media survey is a national cross-sectional online survey of 1,588 youth, 10-15 years old, who have used the Internet at least once in the last 6 months. Cluster analysis was conducted with … [Read more...]

Current trends in Internet- and cell phone-based HIV prevention and intervention programs

Ybarra ML, Bull SS. Current trends in Internet- and cell phone-based HIV prevention and intervention programs. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2007;4(4):201-7. Abstract: As the reach of the Internet and cell phones increases, their use as health intervention and prevention tools has been increasingly researched. To identify recent advances in technology-based HIV prevention and intervention research, we conducted a literature search in the Spring of 2007. Only a handful of articles have been published in the last year describing evaluations of technology-based HIV programs. Nonetheless, many programs have recently been funded and are being developed or imminently evaluated. Results to date suggest the Internet and cell phones are feasible technologies to deliver HIV prevention and intervention … [Read more...]

The relative importance of online victimization in understanding depression, delinquency and substance use

Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML, Finkelhor D. The relative importance of online victimization in understanding depression, delinquency and substance use. Child Maltreat. 2007;12(4):314-324. Abstract: This article explores the relationship between online and offline forms of interpersonal victimization, with depressive symptomatology, delinquency, and substance use. In a national sample of 1,501 youth Internet users (ages 10-17 years), 57% reported some form of offline interpersonal victimization (e.g., bullying, sexual abuse), and 23% reported an online interpersonal victimization (i.e., sexual solicitation and harassment) in the past year. Nearly three fourths (73%) of youth reporting an online victimization also reported an offline victimization. Virtually all types of online and offline … [Read more...]

Online behavior of youth who engage in self-harm provides clues for preventive intervention

Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML. Online behavior of youth who engage in self-harm provides clues for preventive intervention. Prev Med. 2007;45(5):392-396. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore the Internet use and interpersonal interactions of youth reporting deliberate self-harm as defined by any non-fatal act, regardless of intention. METHOD: The Second Youth Internet Safety Survey is a nationally representative telephone survey of 1500 Internet users (ages 10-17) in the United States, conducted March to June 2005. RESULTS: Youth reporting deliberate self-harm in the past 6 months (3%) were significantly more likely than other youth to have a sexual screen name or to talk with people known only online about sex (35% versus 5%) and to use chat rooms (57% versus 29%). All youth were equally … [Read more...]

Current research knowledge about adolescent victimization via the Internet

Wolak J, Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ, Finkelhor D. (2007). Current research knowledge about adolescent victimization via the Internet. Adolesc Med State Art Rev. 2007;18(2):325-341. Abstract: 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 … [Read more...]

Prevalence and frequency of internet harassment instigation: Implications for adolescent health

Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ. Prevalence and frequency of internet harassment instigation: Implications for adolescent health. J Adolesc Health. 2007;41(2):189-195. Abstract: PURPOSE: Youth psychosocial and behavioral characteristics are examined based upon varying frequency of Internet harassment perpetration online. METHODS: Data are from the Second Youth Internet Safety Survey, a national telephone survey of youth between the ages of 10 and 17 years (N = 1,500). Interviews took place between March and June 2005. RESULTS: In all, 6% of youth reported frequent Internet harassment perpetration, an additional 6% reported occasional perpetration, and 17% reported limited perpetration of Internet harassment in the previous year. In general, behavioral and psychosocial problems increased … [Read more...]

Health information seeking among Mbararan adolescents: results from the Uganda Media and You survey

Ybarra ML, Emenyonu N, Nansera D, Kiwanuka J, Bangsberg DR. Health information seeking among Mbararan adolescents: results from the Uganda Media and You survey. Health Educ Res. 2008;23(2):249-258. doi: 10.1093/her/cym026 Abstract: To maximize scarce intervention dollars, pediatricians and other adolescent health professionals must position health promotion efforts in mediums that most effectively reach youth. This may be especially true in resource-limited settings where access to primary health care and medications is limited. To improve the efficiency and impact of disease prevention and health promotion efforts in resource-limited settings, we examine sources of health information cited by adolescents in Mbarara Uganda. Participants in the Uganda Media and You survey were students … [Read more...]

Internet prevention messages: targeting the right online behaviors

Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ, Finkelhor D, Wolak J. Internet prevention messages: targeting the right online behaviors. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(2):138-45. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Internet safety programs urge youth to avoid sharing personal information and talking with "strangers" online. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether sharing personal information and talking with strangers online or other behaviors are associated with the greatest odds for online interpersonal victimization. DESIGN: The Second Youth Internet Safety Survey was a cross-sectional random digit-dial telephone survey. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1500 youth aged 10 to 17 years who had used the Internet at least once a month for the previous 6 months. MAIN EXPOSURE: Online behavior, … [Read more...]

Internet use among Ugandan Adolescents: Implications for HIV intervention

Ybarra M, Kiwanuka J, Emenyonu N, Bangsberg D. Internet use among Ugandan adolescents: Implications for HIV intervention. PLoS Med. 2006;3(11):e433. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030433 Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Internet is fast gaining recognition as a powerful, low-cost method to deliver health intervention and prevention programs to large numbers of young people across diverse geographic regions. The feasibility and accessibility of Internet-based health interventions in resource-limited settings, where cost-effective interventions are most needed, is unknown. To determine the utility of developing technology-based interventions in resource-limited settings, availability and patterns of usage of the Internet first need to be assessed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The Uganda Media and You … [Read more...]