Youth Internet victimization in a broader victimization context

Mitchell KJ, Finkelhor D, Wolak J, Ybarra ML, Turner H. Youth Internet victimization in a broader victimization context. J Adolesc Health. 2011;48(2):128-34. Abstract: PURPOSE: To examine past-year and lifetime rates of online victimization and associations with offline victimizations, trauma symptomatology, and delinquency among adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected through telephone interviews from a nationally representative sample of 2,051 adolescents (ages, 10-17) as part of the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence. Data were collected between January and May, 2008. RESULTS: Six percent of youth reported a past-year online victimization and 9% a lifetime online victimization. Almost all youth reporting a past-year online victimization (96%) reported offline … [Read more...]

X-rated material and perpetration of sexually aggressive behavior among children and adolescents: Is there a link?

Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ, Hamburger M, Diener-West M, Leaf PJ. X-rated material and perpetration of sexually aggressive behavior among children and adolescents: Is there a link? Aggress Behav. 2011;37(1):1-18. doi: 10.1002/ab.20367 Abstract: Longitudinal linkages between intentional exposure to x-rated material and sexually aggressive behavior were examined among youth 10–15 year olds surveyed nationally in the United States. At Wave 1 in 2006, participants (n = 1,588) were queried about these exposures and outcomes in the preceding 12 months. Wave 2 data (n = 1,206) were collected approximately 12 months after Wave 1 and Wave 3 data (n = 1,159) were collected approximately 24 months after Wave 1. Thus, data for this project represent a 36-month time frame. A marginal model with … [Read more...]

Cyber-Senga: Ugandan youth preferences for content in an internet-delivered comprehensive sexuality education programme

Bull S, Nabembezi D, Birungi R, Kiwanuka J, Ybarra ML. Cyber-Senga: Ugandan youth preferences for content in an internet-delivered comprehensive sexuality education programme. East Afr J Public Health. 2010;7(1):58-63. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To ascertain Ugandan youth access to complete information about sexual health and identify preferences for website design and content for a comprehensive sexuality education program. METHODS:  Qualitative focus group discussions with 15 youth enrolled in secondary school, levels S1-S3. RESULTS: Youth get inconsistent information about sexual health that is incomplete at best and erroneous at worst. Information sources of information include family members, teachers and peers. Ugandan youth perceive the concept of receiving Internet-based … [Read more...]

Associations between blocking, monitoring, filtering software on the home computer and youth-reported unwanted exposure to sexual material online

Ybarra ML, Finkelhor D, Mitchell KJ, Wolak J. Associations between blocking, monitoring, filtering software on the home computer and youth-reported unwanted exposure to sexual material online. Child Abuse Negl. 2009;33(12):857-869. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the use of preventive software on the home computer and unwanted exposure to sexual material online. METHODS: The Youth Internet Safety Survey-2 was a national, RDD telephone survey conducted in March-June 2005. Eight hundred households (one caregiver and one child between the ages of 10 and 17 years) with home Internet access answered questions pertaining to Internet prevention activities in the household and adolescent behaviors and exposures online. RESULTS: Unwanted exposure to sexual … [Read more...]

Impact of asking sensitive questions about violence to children and adolescents

Ybarra ML, Langhinrichsen-Rohling J, Friend J, Diener-West M. Impact of asking sensitive questions about violence to children and adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2009;45(5):499-507. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.009 Abstract: PURPOSE: A major gap in our understanding of the ethics of asking sensitive health questions to children is the impact these questions have on their well-being. METHODS: A survey which included sensitive questions about victimization, perpetration, and exposure to violence was fielded nationally among 1588 youth between 10 and 15 years old. At the end of the survey, youth were asked whether any questions about violence upset them. RESULTS: One in four youth (23%) indicated that they were upset by the survey questions about violence. Ten themes emerged … [Read more...]

Social networking sites: Finding a balance between their risks and benefits

Mitchell, KJ, Ybarra, ML. Social networking sites: Finding a balance between their risks and benefits. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(1):87-89. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2008.534 Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Recently, public attention has focused on the possibility that social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are being widely used to sexually solicit underage youth, consequently increasing their vulnerability to sexual victimization. Beyond anecdotal accounts, however, whether victimization is more commonly reported in social networking sites is unknown. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The Growing up With Media Survey is a national cross-sectional online survey of 1588 youth. Participants were 10- to 15-year-old youth who have used the Internet at least once in the last 6 … [Read more...]

Linkages between Internet and other media violence with seriously violent behavior by youth

Ybarra M, Diener-West M, Markow D, Leaf P, Hamburger M, Boxer P. Linkages between Internet and other media violence with seriously violent behavior by youth. Pediatrics. 2008;122(5):929-937. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-3377 Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The goal was to examine the association between violence in the media and the expression of seriously violent behavior among older children and teenagers in a national sample. METHODS: The Growing up with Media survey was a national, online survey of 1588 youths that was conducted in August and September 2006. Participants were 10- to 15-year-old youths who had used the Internet at least once in the past 6 months. The main outcome measure was self-reported seriously violent behavior, including (1) shooting or stabbing someone, (2) aggravated … [Read more...]

Reasons, assessments and actions taken: sex and age differences in uses of Internet health information

Ybarra M, Suman M. Reasons, assessments and actions taken: sex and age differences in uses of Internet health information. Health Educ Res. 2008;23(3):512-521. Abstract: The Internet is transforming the way in which consumers approach their health care needs. Sex and age are influential aspects of one’s health as well as disease risk and are thus integral components of the emerging picture of health information seekers. Using data from Surveying the Digital Future, Year 4, a nationally representative, longitudinal telephone survey of Americans 12 years of age and older (n = 2010), we examine the reasons for, assessments of and actions taken as a result of health information found online among men and women and older and younger people. Although we tend to think of the Internet as a … [Read more...]

Online “predators” and their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment

Wolak J, Finkelhor D, Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML. Online “predators” and their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment. Am Psychol. 2008;63(2):111-28. Abstract: The publicity about online “predators” who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit a model of statutory rape–adult offenders who meet, develop relationships with, and openly seduce underage teenagers–than a model of forcible sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting. This is a serious problem, but one that requires approaches different from those in current prevention messages emphasizing parental control and the dangers of divulging personal information. Developmentally appropriate prevention … [Read more...]

How risky are social networking sites? A comparison of places online where youth sexual solicitation and harassment occurs

Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ. How risky are social networking sites? A comparison of places online where youth sexual solicitation and harassment occurs. Pediatrics. 2008;121(2):e350-357. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-0693 Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Recently, public attention has focused on the possibility that social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are being widely used to sexually solicit underage youth, consequently increasing their vulnerability to sexual victimization. Beyond anecdotal accounts, however, whether victimization is more commonly reported in social networking sites is unknown. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The Growing up With Media Survey is a national cross-sectional online survey of 1588 youth. Participants were 10- to 15-year-old youth who have used the Internet at least … [Read more...]