Ybarra M. Social networking sites, unwanted sexual solicitation, Internet harassment, and cyberbullying. Oral presentation at the Internet Safety Technical Taskforce 1st Meeting; 30 Apr 2008 ; Washington, DC. Data from the Growing up with Media study collected in 2006 and 2007, and the Youth Internet Safety Surveys collected between 1999 and 2000 (YISS1) and in 2005 (YISS2) are discussed. … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Violence on the Internet: How many youth are really looking?
Ybarra M, Hamburger M, Leaf PJ, Diener-West M. Violence on the Internet:How many youth are really looking? Oral presentation at the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference; 8-10 Jul 2007; Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Data from the Growing up with Media study collected in 2008 are discussed. … [Read more...]
Youth perpetration of online sexual solicitation: Internet use and psychosocial characteristics
Mitchell KJ, Ybarra M. Youth perpetration of online sexual solicitation: Internet Use and psychosocial characteristics. Oral presentation at the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference; 8-10 Jul 2007; Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Data from the Growing up with Media study collected in 2008 are discussed. … [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...]