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Background: The Internet and digital media entail both risks and opportunities for children and young people. One risk is posed by cases in which personal erotic photos of schoolchildren are forwarded against their will. For the children and adolescents concerned, the psychosocial consequences can be serious., Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and consequences of non-consensual forwarding of personal erotic photos among children and adolescents at schools in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein., Methods: From 25 April to 7 June 2019, principals of secondary schools were surveyed via an online brief questionnaire about both the incidence of non-consensual forwarding of erotic photos at their respective schools, as well as actions taken, consequences for the students depicted, and consequences for those who sent the photos. Information from 74 school administrators was included in the data analysis., Results: In more than two-thirds of the schools, school principals were aware of at least one case of non-consensual forwarding of personal erotic photos. Measures taken were mostly informing the parents of all involved and a "guided exchange" between the involved students. The consequences for the affected students were reported to be social withdrawal, psychological suffering, school performance problems, and experiences with cyberbullying. In eight cases, affected students left the school., Discussion: Non-consensual forwarding of personal erotic photos in schools is a problem of considerable magnitude. Up-to-date specific prevention measures are urgently needed., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Technological advances have exploded in the new millennium. The Internet provides many opportunities to enrich the lives of youth by providing greater access to learning opportunities, valuable resources, and positive social interactions with peers. However, the Internet is a relatively new and unregulated entity that can also place children and adolescents at risk for a variety of negative and potentially dangerous exposures. One such risk is online sexual solicitations and interactions with older adolescents, peers, and adults. This continuing education article will explore online sexual solicitation of child and adolescents in terms of definition, epidemiology, predictors, consequences, and implications for practice., (Copyright © 2020 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study was primarily aimed at identifying classes of adolescents in relation to their probability of endorsing several risks associated with the Internet (cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, cyberdating abuse victimization, and perpetration, sexting, and grooming). The second objective was to examine a mediational model linking dispositional mindfulness, risk perception, exposure to antisocial content in the media, Internet-risk classes of adolescents, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The sample comprised 3,076 adolescents (46.2% boys, ages between 12 and 21). Latent class analyses indicated the existence of five classes related to the probability of endorsing Internet risks: No risk (60.75%), only cyberbullying (25.5%), cyberbullying and cyberdating abuse (6.7%), all risks (4.3%), and sexual risk (2.9%). Three mindfulness facets, namely, acting with awareness, nonreacting, and nonjudging, were associated with all the classes of risks. This association was partially explained by the degree of exposure to antisocial content in the media and risk perception. Finally, membership in the Internet-risk classes was associated with a lower HRQL.

Adolescents' online sexual experiences (e.g., pornography use, sexual chatting, sexualized social media use, and nude image exchange) provide a new context for sexual socialization. Traditionally, online sexual experiences are often aggregated averages, which neglect their complexity and fail to identify individual differences in the experience. Moreover, the lack of longitudinal research in this area has failed to determine if these experiences predict later offline sexual health and violence outcomes. An analysis of two waves of surveys completed by ethnically and socioeconomically diverse female adolescents (N = 296; 49% maltreated; aged 14-16 years) participating in a larger cross-sequential study was conducted to address these gaps. Established latent classes from the prerequisite study of online sexual experiences at Time 1 were Online Abstinent (low probability of any online sexual experiences), Online Inclusive (high probability of all online sexual experiences), Attractors (high probability of attracting attention from others), and Seekers (high probability of seeking out sexual content and interaction). Class membership uniquely predicted HIV risk, number of physically violent romantic partners, and the occurrence of sexual assault at Time 2. Although membership in risker online sexual experience classes predicted later offline risk and victimization, this was especially true for maltreated participants. These findings demonstrate the advantages of examining online sexual experiences in a way that emphasizes their complexity and individual differences in influential susceptibility.

The advance of digital media has created risks that affect the bio-psycho-social well-being of adolescents. Some of these risks are cyberbullying, cyber dating abuse, sexting, online grooming and problematic Internet use. These risks have been studied individually or through associations of some of them but they have not been explored conjointly. The main objective is to determine the comorbidity between the described Internet risks and to identify the profiles of victimized adolescents. An analytical and cross-sectional study with 3212 participants (46.3% males) from 22 Spanish schools was carried out. Mean age was 13.92 ± 1.44 years (range 11⁻21). Assessment tools with adequate standards of reliability and validity were used. The main results indicate that the most prevalent single risk is cyberbullying victimization (30.27%). The most prevalent two-risk associations are cyberbullying-online grooming (12.61%) and cyberbullying-sexting (5.79%). The three-risk combination of cyberbullying-sexting-grooming (7.12%) is highlighted, while 5.49% of the adolescents present all the risks. In addition, four profiles are distinguished, with the profile Sexualized risk behaviour standing out, with high scores in grooming and sexting and low scores in the rest of the risks. Determining the comorbidity of risks is useful for clinical and educational interventions, as it can provide information about additional risks., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Sexual activity online may result in positive experiences for young people, or lead them to engage in risky behaviours possibly resulting in sexual assault or abuse. The aim of our study was to investigate associations between online sexual behaviours among Swedish youth and background factors as well as aspects of well-being. The behaviours investigated were: having sex online with a contact met online, having sex with an online contact offline, posting sexual pictures online, and selling sex online. We used data from a representative sample of 3,432 Swedish youth who were asked about their lifetime experiences as well as their experiences within the previous year. We hypothesized that more advanced online sexual behaviours were associated with more problematic background factors, worse psychosocial well-being and riskier behaviours in general. Bivariate relationships were evaluated followed by a multiple logistic regression model. Our data suggested that most Swedish youth do not perform any of the assessed online sexual behaviours. Young people who reported online sexual behaviour showed a more problematic background, rated their health as poorer, had a more sexualized life and had experienced more sexual or physical abuse. Professionals who work with young people need to help them better evaluate potential risks online and offer support when needed. Youths who sell sex online are especially at risk and need extra attention, as they might be in greater need of protection and therapeutic support.

Adolescent behavior now occurs offline and online. Frequently studied and treated independently, the relationship between offline problem behaviors and online risk taking is not well understood. This study asked whether there are any problematic behaviors predictive of online risk taking by high school students. Using a 2009 dataset of 2,077 high school students grades 9–12, five areas of offline problematic behaviors were examined: Academic problems, anxiety, behavioral wrongdoing, bullying, and social-emotional. Nine binary results were classified as online risk: Sexting, online harassment (perpetrating and experiencing), visiting sex sites, talking about sex, receiving sexual pictures, meeting offline, anything sexual happened, feeling nervous or uncomfortable. Behavioral wrongdoing (fighting, school suspension, trouble with police, theft), emerged as a significant predictor appearing in all nine models, followed by bullying experience (bully or victim) in six models. Identifying common problem behaviors that predict online risk taking are key components in developing strategies to promote adolescent health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the past two decades, technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) has become the focus of attention in politics, legislation, society, as well as research. However, the majority of literature and studies focus primarily on the offenders. This scoping review therefore aims to illustrate how victims of TA-CSA are represented in studies as primary participants. The databases Embase, PsychInfo, PSYNDEX, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science as well as reference lists were searched. Studies needed to be published between 2007 and 2021 and obtain data directly from and about victims to be included in this review. A total of 570 articles were identified from which 20 studies met inclusion criteria. The analysis showed that data can be obtained via different samples like adult and minor victims or other data such as legal documents or sexualized images. The studies researched different types of TA-CSA including exposure to pornographic material, online grooming leading to both online and offline sexual abuse, sexting and sexualized images, and the visual depiction of sexually explicit content. Consequences due to the abuse were of an emotional and psychological nature, medical or physical or impacted relationships, and the social environment. Even though the impact of the abuse on the victims appeared to be similar between different types of TA-CSA, much remains unknown. In order to gain further and more detailed insight into victims of TA-CSA, a universally accepted definition of TA-CSA as well as its different types and their distinctions needs to be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Online child sexual abuse (OCSA) affects considerable numbers of children globally and is associated with a variety of mental health problems. Existing practitioner studies suggest that young people are infrequently asked about online abuse and practitioners have a fragmented understanding of the problems experienced or how they might approach them. There are very few evidence-based interventions that guide clinical assessment or practice. Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) have the potential to be an effective option where children and young people's services are challenged, including accessibility and anonymity. The aim of this study was to explore mental health practitioners' views of how DHIs may play a role in supporting young people who have experienced OCSA, and the role they can play in healthcare delivery. Method: In-depth qualitative interviews and one focus group were conducted with 25 child mental health professionals across two sites (Manchester and Edinburgh). Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes and 9 sub-themes were identified: (1) feeling a little bit lost; (2) seeing potential problems; and (3) knowing what works. Practitioners expressed interest in a DHI to support this client group and saw it as a way of managing waiting lists and complementing existing therapies. They felt that many young people would see this as a preferred medium to inperson therapy, would be empowering, and offers new ways of learning how to stay safe online. However, there were concerns about how much time would be needed by staff to deliver a DHI, anxieties about safety issues in relation to content and data protection, some of which may be unique to this population of young people, and concerns about the absence of a therapeutic relationship with vulnerable children. Discussion: Our findings indicated that practitioners were uncertain about working with children subjected to OCSA but were receptive to the possibility of using a DHI to support their practice and to reduce waiting lists. Concerns were expressed about the time needed for staff training and support as well as concerns over patient safety and the lack of evidence about the effectiveness of an unsupported DHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I reflect on the polysemy involved in the registration, sending and circulation (authorised or not) of nude digital photographs. I propose that this practice the discourses it entails should be thought both in terms of “a new twist in visuality regimes, a transition towards new ways of seeing, living and symbolising one’s own and others’ bodily nudity” (Sibilia, 2015, p. 42) and as an articulator of the “limits of sexuality” (Gregori, 2016). This involves flexions in the social classifications that organise sexual norms as acceptable or reprehensible and a complex dispute about the expansion of, and restrictions to, the boundaries between consent and abuse, norm and transgression, legitimate and immoral, healthy and violent.

The aim of this study is to determine the sexting behavior among adults, the cause of sexting, consequences of sexting and to evaluate the relationship between risky sexual behavior and self-esteem The study was completed with 5464 participants. The individuals were grouped as the sender, recipient, or two-way sexter. The 10-item second section evaluates self-esteem (Rosenberg), and the 10-item third section evaluates risky sexual behavior (Stulhofer). Mean age was 27.63 ± 7.95 years and 71.3% of the participants were male. Sexting rate of the participants was 55.5%. Who never had sexting 27.1%, and who sent and received sexual messages was 56.4% and 72.0%, respectively. Although there was no significant correlation between self-esteem and sexting behavior. Over 25 years old were 2.19 times, bisexuals and gay/lesbian 2.02 times, single individuals 2.65 times, and those exhibiting risky sexual behaviors were 2.35 times more prone to sexting behavior This study was conducted on sexting with large participation in Turkey more than half of the participants exhibited sexting was higher especially among young adults. Even though there was no relationship between self-esteem and sexting behavior, it was found that the rate of sexting behavior was higher in individuals with risky sexual behavior. We report sexting among Turkish adults. In all with our knowledge this is first study about sexting behavior in Turkey. Turkey is look like half Europe and half middle east because of that it is good to show behavior about sexting and risky sexual behavior in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What proportion of minors who engage in sexting find themselves involved in an episode of image abuse? The data come from a US nationally representative sample of 2639 respondents aged 18–28 reporting about experiences before the age of 18, of whom 23% had engaged in sexting as minors. Among those who sexted the rate of image abuse was 37%, a risk ratio of 13.2 compared to those who did not engage in sexting. For females who sexted the victimization rate was particularly high, but sexting increased risk for females and males. Among the minors who only sexted occasionally (vs those who sexted frequently) the rate of abuse was still high (35%) and the reduction in risk modest. When we controlled for other background and demographic risk factors like adversities and prior sexual abuse, it did not substantially reduce the large risk entailed with sexting. Various harm reduction strategies may be needed to supplement messages about dangers and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexting is a form of intimate communication available in today's digital society consisting of exchanging erotic-sexual content online. However, doing it without the consent of the person appearing in the content is becoming a normalized form of cyberviolence among adolescents. To advance our understanding of this phenomenon, further research is needed on its facilitating factors, which may include those related to its potential moral dimension and online disinhibition. This study aims to analyze, according to gender and age, the relationship between nonconsensual forwarding of erotic-sexual content, differentiating between the type of content and the gender of the person appearing in it, moral disengagement, and toxic online disinhibition. A total of 1,611 adolescents (47.9 percent girls) aged 12–15 years (M = 13.4; SD = 1.0) participated in the study. Moral disengagement and toxic disinhibition have been shown to facilitate nonconsensual forwarding of erotic-sexual content, but their relevance varies depending on the type of content, and whether girls or boys appear in it. Facilitating factors for nonconsensual forwarding of content featuring boys include age, the diffusion of the consequences, and toxic online disinhibition. For girls, identifying with the male gender and cognitive restructuring were the main facilitators. These findings represent an original advance in the field of study by discriminating between the type of content forwarded and the gender of the person who appears in it. The differences found contribute toward explaining the processes that lead to making immoral decisions when sexting and help lay the foundations for designing psychoeducational programs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to contribute to the current literature on adolescent sexting prevalence by reporting an accurate description and characterisation of participants based on the adolescent sexting scale A-SextS as a standardised measurement instrument. The study includes a convenience sample of 579 Spanish secondary students (52.7% boys; interquartile range 13–15 years). Participants were asked about five active sexting behaviours (sending sexts; making voice calls with sexual content; making video calls with sexual content; posting sexual content on the internet or social media networks; live-streaming video of sexual content on the internet or social media networks) with an amorous or sexual purpose, during the month prior to the survey, distinguishing between three possible addressees (boyfriend/girlfriend; someone known in person; someone known only on the internet), three media formats (text messages; images or videos; and audio messages), and three levels of sexual explicitness (nude; in underwear; and dressed but in a sexy pose). Both the proportion of students reporting to have partaken in all individual sexting behaviours and the number of times they did so in the study timeframe were higher when the addressee was reported as their romantic partner. Approximately half of the participants reported having engaged in sexting with a partner or with someone they knew in person, whereas a fifth sexted with someone they only knew online. Additionally, a third of adolescents posted some sort of sext, and a tenth presented themselves in a live-stream. The exchange of nude sexts was less prevalent than those depicting the subject in underwear or rather dressed and in a sexy pose. Girls posted significantly more images or videos both in underwear and dressed and in a sexy pose than boys, and girls also made more video calls with sexual content in response to a request from someone they knew in person than boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined sexting habits (sending text messages, as well as nude or semi-nude photos, and/or requesting the same from others) among adolescents, as reported by 458 students (101 boys, 357 girls), with the aim of investigating whether and how sexting correlates with parenting styles and manifestations of parental social control. An online link was published on social media, asking participants who meet the research criteria to complete several questionnaires. About 30% of the participants reported sending sexual messages, and almost 32% reported that others, mainly strangers, asked them to send nude or semi-nude photos. Furthermore, sexting was more common among high-school students than among middle-school students, and asking another person to send nude or semi-nude photos was more common among boys than among girls. Lower parental social control was related to increased likelihood of sexting, and higher perception of permissive parenting style was associated with asking someone else to send nude or semi-nude photos. These findings shed light on sexting among adolescents in Israel. Moreover, the findings show that adolescents do not report sexting either to parents or to other significant adults in their lives, such as teachers or other educational staff at school. The article concludes with implications for educators and educational counselors in view of these findings.

Teenagers use the Internet to obtain and exchange information in multiple fields, including about taboo subjects such as sexuality. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and vulnerability factors related to active cybersexuality among teenagers aged between 15 and 17 years in western Normandy. This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study integrated into sexual education classes for teenagers between 15 and 17 years old. An anonymous questionnaire, designed for the study, was given at the beginning of each session. The study had a 4-month duration and involved 1,208 teenagers. The results revealed that 66% of them engaged in cybersex, with sexting being the most widespread practice: 21% sent such sexts, 60% received such sexts, and 12% of boys shared such texts with others. Other practices, such as dedipix, dating websites, and skin parties, were more marginal, but 12% of teenagers had met someone in real life after meeting them first online. A history of experiencing violence, a lack of parental control, female gender, poor self-esteem, and consuming toxic drugs were associated with a higher risk of cybersexuality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.63, 1.95, 2.07, 2.27, and 2.66, respectively. Number of friends on social networks >300 and daily viewing of pornography were also strongly associated with cybersexuality with an OR of 2.83 and 6.18, respectively. This study shows that cybersex is practiced by two thirds of teens. Vulnerability factors most strongly associated with cybersexuality were female gender, poor self-esteem, consuming toxic drugs, number of friends on social networks >300, and daily viewing of pornography. Cybersexuality involves risks (social exclusion, bullying, dropout, poor self-esteem, breakdown) that are possible to prevent by highlighting this theme during sexual education classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As technology has become increasingly integrated into the everyday lives of young people and social interactions have moved online, so too have the opportunities for child sexual abuse. However, the risk factors for online sexual abuse, and their similarities or differences with those of offline sexual abuse have not been clarified, making it difficult to design prevention strategies. Using a nationally representative online survey panel of young adults ages 18 to 28, the current study sought to identify risk factors for online childhood sexual abuse and compare their relevance and strength in predicting offline sexual abuse. The 2,639 participants, ages 18 to 28, were sampled from the Ipsos KnowledgePanel and were asked questions about 11 different kinds of technology-facilitated online sexual abuse that occurred in childhood, follow-up questions about their dynamics and offenders, and a variety of potential risk factors. Results indicated that: (1) being cisgender female, nonheterosexual, and having parents with less than a high school education emerged as important demographic predictors of online child sexual abuse (OCSA); and (2) early offline sexual abuse was the strongest predictor of OCSA, when considering both its direct and indirect effects through online risky behavior. Findings suggest that prevention programs directed at reducing risk of sexual abuse, in general, are likely to be effective against online sexual abuse, provided they also incorporate efforts to educate youth on the need to avoid risky online behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Sexting" (electronic transmission of sexual pictures/messages) among early adolescents is associated with early sexual activity, a marker of increased sexual risk. The current study is a secondary analysis that examined the longitudinal relationship between sexting and first-time sex among a sample of early adolescents deemed "at risk" due to behavioral or emotional problems. Adolescents participated in a longitudinal sexual risk prevention trial and completed questionnaires assessing demographics, unsupervised peer time, mental health, and participation in sexting, oral sex, and penetrative sex (vaginal/anal). Analyses included 343 early adolescents (M age = 12.89, 51% female, 77% racial/ethnic minority) with no history of oral or penetrative sex. Those who reported sexting at baseline were more likely to report first-time oral and/or penetrative sex by the 1-year follow-up. Exploratory analyses revealed that sexting predicted those who had engaged in both oral and penetrative sex. These findings highlight the need to address sexting in risk prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet is the setting for several forms of violent and risky behavior among adolescents, such as cyberbullying, sexualized interactions with adults, sexting, and online dating violence. Often, these behaviors are responses to experiences of online victimization. This study examined the differential effects of a wise intervention (WI), combining growth mindset and self-affirmation strategies, on these behaviors for adolescents who had experienced victimization and those who had not. A sample of 1,085 adolescents (54.3% girls; ages 11–18 years) were randomized into two intervention conditions (WI and an anti-stress control intervention). They completed measures of violent and risky behaviors at pretest and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups and measures of victimization at pretest. The results of multilevel analyses indicated that the WI was beneficial for adolescents without experiences of victimization at pretest, as they displayed smaller increases in online peer aggressions, sexualized interactions with adults, and sexting than the adolescents in the control condition. However, the WI was not beneficial for adolescents with experiences of victimization at pretest. Moreover, the adolescents under the anti-stress control condition displayed better outcome. These findings suggest that previous victimization experiences of adolescents should be considered to select an appropriate intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sexualidad, Salud y Sociedad: Revista Latinoamericana is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Stranger-perpetrated harassment was identified decades ago to describe the pervasive, unwanted sexual attention women experience in public spaces. This form of harassment, which has evolved in the modern era, targets women as they navigate online spaces, social media, texting, and online gaming. The present research explored university-aged women's experiences (n = 381) with online male-perpetrated sexual harassment, including the nature and frequency of the harassment, how women responded to the harassment, and how men reportedly reacted to women's strategies. Trends in harassment experiences are explored descriptively and with thematic analysis. Most women reported receiving sexually inappropriate messages (84%, n = 318), sexist remarks or comments (74%, n = 281), seductive behavior or come-ons (70%, n = 265), or unwanted sexual attention (64%, n = 245) in an online platform, social media account, email, or text message. This sexual attention from unknown males often began at a very young age (12-14 years). The harassment took many forms, including inappropriate sexual comments on social media posts, explicit photos of male genitalia, and solicitations for sex. Although most women reported strong negative emotional reactions to the harassment (disgust, fear, anger), they generally adopted non-confrontational strategies to deal with the harassment, electing to ignore/delete the content or blocking the offender. Women reported that some men nevertheless persisted with the harassment, following them across multiple sites online, escalating in intensity and severity, and leading some women to delete their own social media accounts. These results suggest the need for early intervention and education programs and industry response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of digital technology and devices has fundamentally transformed people's social life in recent decades, particularly in interpersonal relationships. Two popular social phenomena elucidate how social connections and interactions have dramatically evolved due to technological advancement. Sexting has surfaced as a popular way of getting attention or flirting among young populations over the past decade. Online dating also has emerged as a viable avenue for people to seek interpersonal romantic and/or sexual relationships. Based on survey data collected from two Chinese universities and one U.S. university, this study links sexting and online dating by comparatively assessing the prevalence of sexting victimization and factors influencing such victimization among young online daters. Bivariate and multiple analyses reveal that American college students are more inclined than their Chinese counterparts to be victims of receiving sexts. Chinese students with higher degrees of rape myth acceptance are more likely to experience sexting victimization, but such an association does not exist among U.S. students. Internet-related activities were only weakly connected to sexting victimization among college students. LGBT young adults, regardless of their country affiliation, are at a higher risk for sexting misconduct. Female and younger American students were more likely to experience sexting victimization, whereas Chinese students in a romantic relationship were more inclined to experience sexting victimization. If possible, future research should employ a random sampling strategy to draw a larger number of college students from different types of universities in different regions. Future studies should include other theoretically relevant variables, such as self-control and opportunity variables, into the sexting victimization research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converging sources of data would suggest that the volume of images and videos which involve minors is increasing and places a burden on law enforcement in terms of victim identification as well as prosecution. The terminology used in relation to these activities is problematic, as reference to self-produced sexual images would seem to result in victim-blaming. While there is an acknowledgement that there are diverse motives in the creating and sharing of this content, in many jurisdictions these images are seen as meeting the criteria for illegality and may result in prosecutions under child pornography legislation. This potentially criminalises (or at least problematises) the consensual creation and sharing of sexually explicit content between minors. Concerns regarding this sit alongside growing disquiet that this disregards children's rights to sexual autonomy and decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Interuniversitaria de Formación del Profesorado is the property of Asociacion Universitaria de Formacion del Profesorado (AUFOP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores Finnish regulatory authorities' attempts to mitigate young people's participation in mediated sexuality. Previous studies have argued that both attempted regulation and education about media and sexuality are often out of touch with many adolescents' lives. This study uses a Foucauldian inspired critical investigative method to unpack the pedagogical messages that frame official statements and the approaches used by Finnish authorities to regulate mediated sexual exchanges. Focusing on the uses of shame as an ongoing pedagogical strategy, the article reveals the limits of social policing. It also sheds light on alternative possibilities and their implications for different aspects of mediated sexuality (autonomy, privacy and consent among other things) that are currently effaced by the regulatory discourse deployed by the Finnish Police Force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the content of injunctive peer norms (i.e., perceived peer approval) of sexting among Swedish adolescents. Written answers from 808 adolescents (M age = 14.22) to an open-ended question about peers' views of sexting were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis. Eight categories were distinguished for when and why sexting is acceptable or not in the peer group. A substantial share of adolescents believed their peers approve of sexting, especially if sexting occurs within trusted relationships and when all parties have consented. A large share of adolescents described that peers were non-accepting of sexting, emphasizing that it can be spread to others. The participants also suggested that sexting is seen as a gendered phenomenon surrounded by sexual double standards, with girls at more risk of negative consequences. Some participants emphasized the peer view that adolescents sext to seek attention, and some emphasized that sexting is viewed as an enjoyable activity. Several of these categories' likelihood to be mentioned was related to the adolescents' age, gender, and prior experience of sexting. We concluded that adolescents might have a hard time navigating the social context of sexting, given the conflicting and gendered messages from peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital technologies play a significant role in people's sexual and intimate lives via smart phones, cameras, dating apps and social media. Although there is a large body of research on the potential risks posed by these technologies, research on benefits and pleasures is limited.Methods: This study explored digital sexual practices, including perceptions of risks and benefits among a sample of Australian adults (n =445). Data were collected in 2020 via an online survey. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were undertaken to identify significant relationships between demographic variables and the use of technologies in relation to perceived risks and benefits. The mean age of participants was 42 years, over half were women (58.5%) and identified as heterosexual (61.1%).Results: Findings reveal that use of digital media was common in participants' sex lives and relationships; 60.3% of participants had viewed pornography online, 34.9% had used dating apps, and 33.9% had sent sexual or naked self-images to another person. Over one in three reported positive outcomes from this: 38.2% felt emotionally connected to their partners due to online communication; 38.0% agreed that digital technologies facilitated closer connections;however, the majority of participants were aware of potential risks associated with online sexual engagement, particularly non-consensual exposure of their sexual or naked images, with women expressing greater concern.Conclusions: Policy, legal and educational responses should be based on holistic understanding of digital sexual engagement, acknowledging the ways in which technologies can support sexual relationships while also building people's knowledge and capacity to manage risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberspace provides a completely different platform for the expression of one's needs in comparison to the face-to-face world. The use of cyberspace by teenagers is becoming a major concern due to the emergence of engagement in deviant use of internet applications inclusive of engagement in sexting; excessive and addictive use of the internet, consumption of pornography, and as well as phenomena of internet chat rooms. The online disinhibition, anonymity, personality factors, sensation-seeking behavior, impulsivity, deviant socialization processes, and absence of social systems to educate adolescents about gender sensitivity and sex appear to predispose teenagers for indulgence in deviant usage of cyberspace. There is an urgent need to understand the factors related to deviant use of cyberspace and for offering programs for parents and adolescents on gender sensitivity, sexuality, sex, consent in relationships, and deviant use of internet applications. Such initiatives will help to offer opportunities for a corrective experience through appropriate socialization experiences and enhance cyberliteracy among children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the study of psychological impact strategies adapted by individuals in the course of sexual crimes against minors through the Internet. The research materials: 34 indictments drawn up in accordance with articles 132, 133, 134, 135, part 1 241, 242 of the criminal code of the Russian Federation), including the plot of the criminal case, materials of correspondence between the accused and victims, conclusions of forensic experts psychologists, psychiatrists, sexologists. By means of statistical and qualitative methods of analysis, the types of persons committing sexual crimes against minors through the Internet and predictors of attribution to the selected types are identified. The specificity of criminal activity, depending on the diagnosed mental disorder and the used strategy of psychological influence is revealed. The paper suggests directions for further development of this problem.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the reported online and health risk behaviors of adolescent cyberbullies, cyber victims, and cyberbullyvictims. Methods: This descriptive correlational study used a secondary analysis design from a larger study of high school students. The sample consisted of 464 adolescents who reported one or more experiences of cyberbullying. Results: Findings revealed significant differences (p < 0.0001) between type of bully and victim. Cyberbully-victims were more likely to report health and online risk behaviors, such as smoking, illicit drug use, having close relationships online, and sexting. Cyberbullies were likely to report viewing inappropriate material online and going on purpose to inappropriate websites. Interestingly, cyber victims also reported participation in risky behavior online, which included viewing inappropriate material online and having close relationships with people online. Discussion: Cyberbully-victims had the highest reports of health and online risk behaviors but were followed closely by their peers. Findings from this study suggest important areas of intervention with high school students who partake in aggressive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet and data-based technologies are ubiquitous in most societies around the world. People use online technologies (i.e., devices, software, platforms, applications, etc., that connect to the Internet through wired or wireless means) in almost all aspects of their daily lives, including sexuality. Yet, researchers have been slow to integrate online technologies in sexuality studies. The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating research about online technology with research about human sexuality. We argue that researchers focused on (almost) all topics of human sexuality would benefit from considering online technologies in their studies. We describe how people's online and in-person experiences do not exist in separate vacuums; rather, they influence and are influenced by one another in an ongoing and dynamic fashion. We propose three ways that sexuality researchers can integrate technology and technology-informed research in their future studies that address some of the opportunities and challenges: adding variables and constructs, using technology-focused theories, and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media is widely used by children and adolescents, and new research shows that they spend the majority of their daily time on social media platforms. This research tries to demonstrate the beneficial and bad effects that social media has on the development of adolescents. Social media, privacy, youth safety, psychological well-being, and educational achievement are all examined in relation to each other in this review. According to the findings, social media has positively impacted children and adolescents' communication skills, information gathering, technical development, and understanding of how to use new technologies successfully. On the other hand, they're at risk of Facebook sadness, cyberbullying, and online sexual harassment. Some recommendations for future research were included in the study's results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a systematic review of the health production on sexting between 2009 and 2019. The scientific production was analyzed regarding its context (gender of the first author, publication year, and country of realization), publication type, knowledge field, themes, subjects addressed, and their conception about sexting. The 147 works on sexting as a central theme retrieved from PubMed were analyzed during the second semester of 2019. The search was done on the term of sexting. A descriptive statistical, interpretive analysis was carried out to assess the approach to risk, violence, and gender in these publications. Most first authors of these publications were female, and most manuscripts were published in the U.S. between 2017 and 2019 and adopted a quantitative approach (approximately 65%). Almost half of the productions' central theme was the prevalence of sexting or risky behavior among adolescents. The vast majority also attributed risky behavior to sexting somehow, from which violence can be inferred (70%). A negligible part of publications employed a gender approach (less than 15%). The health productions have insufficiently analyzed sexting by not distinguishing healthy from violent practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine a new form of online fraud, which we refer to as Intimacy Manipulated Fraud Industrialization (IMFI). This type of fraud bears a strong resemblance to traditional online romance fraud and catfishing, but is "industrialized" through enterprise business practices, software platforms, and customer service processes. To gain a better understanding of this operation, we conducted an inductive analysis of publicly available testimonial and review data provided by current and prior employees of a specific company in the online customer service contract space. Companies hire individuals online to work as "chat moderators" or "customer service providers" who are told that their task is to advance engagement on social media platforms. In fact, they are being recruited as "sexting" workers, paid on a per-text basis to engage in intimate chatting with clients who believe they're interacting with individuals of the opposite gender on a dating site. The process is mediated via client management processes that monitor employee productivity and monetize all interactions between "clients" and "workers." The company executes these processes with great efficiency by algorithmically assigning multiple workers to individual clients and assembling background files on clients in real time. We find that workers serve as both exploiters of their clients as well as victims of the company they work for. The implications of our study could significantly impact how we address AI-generated online fraud in the future, shedding light on the complex dynamics at play within these fraudulent enterprises. • A new corporatized form of fraud is revealed as Intimacy Manipulated Fraud Industrialization (IMFI). • IMFI shares resemblances to catfishing and online romance scams. • IMFI's industrialization process shares elements with online romance scams but has unique differences. • IMFI and online romance scams both employ impression management, social engineering, and interpersonal deception. • Three primary phases are evident in the recruitment of potential workers by the IMFI company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents has acquired new forms with development of the Internet. Sexual online grooming, or solicitation through the Internet, is one of such forms. The number of online grooming cases increases in Russia, but there is little research on this phenomenon. A few studies concern predominantly its prevalence and problems of joint forensic psychological-linguistic expertise of interactions between the groomer and the child. The range of research abroad is wider, from the structure of the grooming process, manipulative strategies and tactics of the offender to the factors influencing the child’s vulnerability. Special attention is paid to the linguistic features of the online grooming with the goal to develop computer systems for its detection. On the basis of the review of the modern studies the necessity of further interdisciplinary research of the online grooming is argued. It will provide new information for criminal psychology and victimology, promote forensic expertise and prevention of sexual crimes against children.

Los medios móviles (smatphones y tabletas) les permiten a los menores tener unos hábitos más flexibles y personalizados, y crear nuevas oportunidades de uso privado dentro del hogar, la escuela y el espacio público. El proyecto Net Children Go Mobile1, en el que han participado Dinamarca, Italia, Reino Unido, Rumanía, Bélgica, Irlanda, Portugal y España, se basa en el análisis de esta nueva realidad y de sus posibles consecuencias para la infancia. Este estudio presenta los resultados más significativos de este proyecto en España a partir de la encuesta realizada a 500 menores españoles usuarios y usuarias de internet de entre 9 y 16 años y a su padre o a su madre. Uno de los mayores hallazgos de este proyecto es que las experiencias de riesgo online no conducen necesariamente al daño, tal y como indicaron los propios menores. De hecho, la investigación EU Kids Online mostró que los niños y las niñas que se encuentran con mayor número de riesgos online no son necesariamente quienes sufren consecuencias más dañinas; por el contrario, normalmente son ellos quienes demuestran más habilidades y desarrollan más resiliencia.

The text aims at measuring digital literacy among teachers of the third stage of education in Poland (lower secondary schools). The study was commissioned by the Ministry of National Education and was conducted in 2018 in Poland, and involved a group of 484 teachers. The goal of the research was to present the teachers' knowledge and skills related to digital threats in the areas of the assessment of the reliability of information, sexting, cyberbullying, intellectual property rights, the protection of online images, and protection against malware. Digital literacy (DL) was measured using a knowledge and competence test and a diagnostic survey. The ability to enter the LLL process thanks to the ongoing advancement of ICT increases the online safety of all of the school-related stakeholders. A detailed analysis of the results also revealed that the teachers obtained good results in the test in terms of their knowledge about sexting and image protection but scored poorly regarding copyright and the assessment of the reliability of online information; male teachers know more about the technical aspects of digital safety than female teachers; trainees need particular support in the form of informal and non-formal education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female adolescents are particularly at risk of body image concerns. These individuals tend to make greater use of Social Networks and this could lead adolescents into behaviors that increase the risk of online sexual victimization (OSV). This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the relation between body image concerns and OSV in a sample of female adolescents (n = 229) and the mediating role of three types of risky online behaviors in this link. Body image concerns predict OSV both directly and indirectly. Two of the three risky online behaviors proved to be mediators of the indirect link, namely: indiscriminate expansion of online network of contacts; and willingness to have relationships with strangers met online. Surprisingly, the third behavior, Sexting and Exhibitionism, was not shown to be a mediating factor between body image concerns and OSV. From our results emerges that adolescent girls with a negative body perception have a higher risk of OSV, and the relation between the two variables can be mediated by some risky online behaviors. It is likely that female adolescents use SNs more and adopt risky online behaviors in order to receive gratification and reassurance about their negative body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth sharing of self- or peer-produced sexual content via electronic communications, dubbed by the media as "sexting" (i.e., sexting behaviors), has generated concern among a wide variety of adult stakeholders in the U.S. Experts recognize the need to integrate perspectives and knowledge about adolescents' sexting behaviors from individuals who interact with adolescents (e.g., their caregivers) to inform the development of prevention policy and practice. The present study fills this gap by interviewing 10 separate groups of caregivers in three different states, with the sole focus on adolescent sexting behaviors. Results indicated seven themes: (1) characteristics of adolescent sexting behaviors, (2) influences on sexting behaviors, (3) communication about sexting behaviors, (4) gender and sexting behaviors, (5) sociohistorical conditions and sexting behaviors, (6) consequences of sexting behaviors, and (7) ways to address sexting behaviors; multiple themes emerged within each of the seven parent codes. Findings inform the need to integrate adolescent sexting behaviors into comprehensive sexual education curricula and to develop educational content on adolescent sexting behaviors for adolescents and caregivers in online and printable handout formats. Clearly defining sexting and norms around sexting are of particular importance in such educational materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sexting is a phenomenon that has only recently been recognised as a sexual offence, specifically when such communications are directed towards a child. The current study sought to investigate the use of sexting by adults and whether it is utilised as a mechanism to sexually engage with victims under the age of 16. Self-worth, sexual self-worth, and resilience were also examined as factors potentially relating to perpetration and/or victimisation. Participants (n = 285) were recruited via opportunity sampling using an online questionnaire methodology. The results indicated sexting is being used by adults in an attempt to sexually engage with minors. It was found that males who had been victims of sexting were likely to become perpetrators, however, this was not the case for females. There were no statistically significant findings for self-worth, sexual self-worth, and resilience as predictors of victimisation. Implications for forensic practice, research and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a swipe, click, or delete, people are now able to seek and sustain romance in unprecedented ways. The emerging research shows that cyberintimacy, or the phenomenon of technology-mediated communication between partners and potential romantic interests, significantly impacts the way we form, maintain, and even extinguish romantic relationships. Hence, this scoping review aims to (a) delineate how our use of technology-mediated communication is associated with specific outcomes (e.g., satisfaction and quality) throughout the romantic relationship lifecycle, and (b) identify emerging themes in the research. Adhering to Arksey and O'Mayley's six-step framework methodology, we performed a systematic database search, literature screening, and qualitative synthesis of the findings. Seventy-two studies were selected from a pool of 4,062 articles derived from a systematic search of six academic databases. The findings show that cyberintimacy has a profound impact on outcomes in three crucial stages of the relationship lifecycle—from the way people find and field partners online through the process of initiation; to the means by which partners use technology to perform relationship maintenance; and finally, the ways in which people cope with the process of dissolution by using technology to reclaim a sense of agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]