• 19% or 1 in 5 of young internet users received an unwanted SEXUAL solicitation in the past year
• 3% received an aggressive solicitation that involved offline contact or attempts or requests for offline contact
• 25% of surveyed youth reported unwanted exposures to sexual material
• 6% of surveyed youth report experiencing harassment, defined as threats, rumors, or other offensive behavior

Who are the victims of unwanted sexual solicitations or approaches?

• 1/3 were male, 2/3 were female
• 77% were ages 14-17, remainder were 10-13 years of age

Who are the suspects?

• 97% of the solicitors were strangers
• 2/3 of solicitations came from males (as best as can be determined).

Where is this occurring?

• For unwanted sexual solicitations via computer:
• 70% happened when the youth was using a computer at home
• 30% happened when youth was using a computer at someone else’s home
• For unwanted exposure to sexual material on a computer:
• 67% occurred at home
• 15% at school
• 13% at someone else’s home
• 3% at a library

What was done?

• 49% never told anyone about the unwanted sexual solicitation.
• 44% never told of unwanted exposure to sexual material

TEENAGERS/PARENTS FACTS TO KNOW:

• People will lie about their identity on the internet, therefore:
• Do not believe someone’s age is what they say
• Keep in mind the person you have talked to is a stranger and could be fabricating everything he/she has told you.

SOME SIGNS OF DISTRESS:

• 1-Excessive use of a computer, ie. All night, or every night for prolonged periods
• 2-A blank screen or screen saver showing whenever an adult comes around.
• 3-Unaccounted for absences from home or anywhere else
• 4-Passwords that parents do not have access to.