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Rock the Talk® – The Internet & Devices


It's Much More Than "Internet Safety"

Any device that allows texting/messaging, access to apps (games, social media, anything with means for communication), or access to the internet must be recognized for its potential to expose children to a variety of influences that can negatively impact their wellbeing and safety, including but not limited to:

  • Inappropriate & harmful content (violence, substance abuse, sexual content, etc.) 

    A significant number of children are unintentionally and intentionally exposed to pornography online

    Unsupervised & unfiltered communication with known and unknown people

    Text messaging, Facetime, email, social media, games etc. are now a common tool for grooming, abuse and control. 

    Romantic relationships (online only or with known peers) at a young age 

    Content that can affect self-esteem, increase depression and make children feel disconnected from peers

    Introduction and encouragement of body dysmorphia, gender dysphoria 

    Children and young adults have attributed social media exposure as a catalyst for bodily appearance and gender identity issues

    Increased exposure to self harm or suicidal ideation content 

    Bullying 

    Sexual solicitation & CSAM 

    88% of child sexual abuse images (CSAM) are estimated to be created by children

    Exploitation - monetary, sexual, etc. 

    • ​​

Beyond Stranger Danger

As parents and adults who are responsible for guiding children with the use of devices, it's crucial to acknowledge inappropriate and abusive behaviors can come from people known to the child, and also by the actions of our own children. We have a duty to promote and reinforce responsible respectful behaviors with all children that use devices and go online. Research has shown harm perpetrated by peers is just as impactful as by adults. 

62% of people who sexually harm online are known to the child, not strangers.*

*Prevalence of Online Sexual Offenses Against Children in the US, 2022 (POSOAC) 

People who perpetrate abuse online often include: classmates or friends, someone the child is romantically-connected to, a neighbor, and family members.  In the POSOAC Study perpetrators were:

  • 30% juveniles
  • 36% young adults aged 18-25
  • 15% adults over the age of 25 
  • 33% juveniles or adults romantically-involved with the child 

Factors that predict potential higher rates of online abuse include*:

  • Previously experienced sexual abuse during childhood
  • A child identifying as non-heterosexual and has parents with less than a high school education 

Child survivors of sexual abuse may act out sexually in response to previous abuse, serving as a means for the child to process their experience of abuse, feel in control of their sexual experiences, or conversely, as a result of reduced sense of self worth - the child may feel that providing sexual satisfaction to others is tied to their value. 

Additionally, the rates of non-heterosexual children being sexually abuse deserves increased research to understand the complexities of these situation. Children that identify themselves as non-heterosexual online may draw attention to potential perpetrators of abuse by identifying their sexual orientation in their personal profile or through communication. 

*Predictors of Online Child Sexual Abuse in a U.S. National Sample 

Children Affected by Online Abuse 

Not surprisingly children experiencing abusive behaviors online tend to skew older, given that younger children are given less access and are less able to communicate online. Adults may believe that teens are mature enough to handle the responsibilities and risks of using devices and the internet, however knowledge of teen brain development and the results of the POSOAC Study suggest otherwise. 

1 in 6 respondents disclosed online sexual abuse before age 18 

Broken down by gender: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 12 boys 

Disclosed age which children experienced online sexual abuse (includes various forms): 

  • 16% Age 13 years or under 
  • 60% Age 13-15 years
  • 58% Age 16-17 years 

Children Engaging in Abusive & Inappropriate Behaviors On & Offline 

50-77% of Child Sexual Abuse is now estimated to be perpetrated by juveniles*.

A rising amount of research is showing that the negative effects of access & exposure to smart devices, the internet, and social media are also affecting the perceptions and behaviors of youth. It is important to understand and acknowledge that a significant amount of abuse is being perpetrated and what can lead children to engage in harmful behaviors. 



Definitions to Know

Exposure to Pornography

Several decades worth of research has shown a clear connection between early childhood/adolescent exposure to pornography and the increased likelihood of children engaging in PSB. 

With the expansion of access to the internet and internet-based platforms, children are being exposed to pornography at much higher rates than ever before. 

This is especially concerning has research has shown that children exposed to sexually explicit material are engaging in increased rates of sexual coercion and harassment with peers. 

Violent pornography exposure has been linked as a potential factor for teen dating violence. 

Connecting Previous Experienced Abuse, Family Disconnection, and Pornography Exposure to PSB in Youth 

A significant portion of juveniles that perpetrate sexual abuse have also found to have experienced abuse and neglect, lacking a secure attachment to caregivers, lacking education in consent, and exposure to sexual content normalizing unhealthy attitudes toward sex. The below information is from the 2023 Pathways to Onset of Harmful Sexual Behavior Study identified key factors associated with PSB. 

  • Child sexual abuse specifically has been correlated to PSB in 26-92% of study samples. 
  • Physical and emotional abuse, specifically for males, have show to have a high correlation to perpetration of sexual abuse at a rate of over 70%. 
  • Domestic violence has been correlated to PSB in children at a rate of 46-84%. 
  • Sexual arousal without knowledge of respectful on consensual relationships was found to be a factor in over 50% of males in one 2020 study. 
  • Lacking healthy attachment to caregivers was found to be correlated to higher rates of PSB. 
  • Experiencing sexual arousal without comprehensive knowledge of respectful relationships or consent along with a tendency towards impulsive behaviors. 
  • Antisocial behaviors in combination with a history of traumatic experiences (parental incarceration, involvement with child protection) and social isolation. 
  • Exposure to pornography along with poor supervision and boundaries, living in a sexualized environment (father-figure validating pornography use) 

This information is important to understand as we consider access to the internet increasing exposure to pornography and the opportunities for youth to utilize devices as a means of engaging in sexual behaviors with others. 

What Can We Do to Help Keep Kids Safe? 

While many children have the propensity to be mean at times, The characteristics of bullying, as a continual pattern of aggressive behavior, and sexual abuse perpetrated by minors are similar; sexual abuse can become a tactic to feel powerful and dominating.