Youth may be more likely victimized while using instant messenger and visiting chat rooms than while using social networking sites, new research this week reports. The study, conducted by child health researchers Michele Ybarra of Internet Solutions for Kids and Kimberly Mitchell of the University of New Hampshire, set out to look at the places online where youth are most likely to experience sexual solicitation and harassment.  The researchers, whose study is published in Pediatrics, found that among the almost 1600 children and adolescents 10-15 years-old surveyed nationally, 4% reported experiencing an unwanted sexual solicitation and 9% reported being harassed while on a social networking site.  Solicitations were reported 59% more often in instant messaging however, and 19% more … [Read more...]