Are Social Networking Sites Endangering Young Teens? Study Finds Maybe Not

5 Feb 2008 02:55 Africa/Lagos


Are Social Networking Sites Endangering Young Teens? Study Finds Maybe Not

SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Youth may be more likely victimized while using instant messenger and visiting chat rooms than while using social networking sites, new research this week reports.


The study, conducted by child health researchers Michele Ybarra of Internet Solutions for Kids and Kimberly Mitchell of the University of New Hampshire, set out to look at the places online where youth are most likely to experience sexual solicitation and harassment. The researchers, whose study is published in Pediatrics, found that among the almost 1600 children and adolescents 10-15 years-old surveyed nationally, 4% reported experiencing an unwanted sexual solicitation and 9% reported being harassed while on a social networking site. Solicitations were reported 59% more often in instant messaging however, and 19% more often in chat rooms than social networking sites. More surprising, harassments were reported 96% more often in instant messaging than in social networking sites. "Are victimizations happening in social networking sites? Yes," Ybarra explains, "but they're happening with greater frequency in instant messaging and chat rooms."


The authors say the results serve as a warning for parents not to focus exclusively on social networking sites. "Internet safety is not just about whether your child is on MySpace or not. You should know what your children are doing on MySpace and Facebook. But you also need to know what your children are doing in school, after school, at parties, at the mall, online - basically all environments in which they engage. You can't just focus on one place and assume that your job is done."


An estimated 15% of children and adolescents are targeted by unwanted sexual solicitation each year, including being asked to talk about sex, provide personal sexual information, or engage in sexual behavior online when they do not want to. Depending on the type of harassment and the age of the children surveyed, 9-30% of youth are harassed yearly. Current events have raised public awareness and concern about the risks young people face when they are in social networking sites. Most recent was the case of Megan Meier, a teenager who committed suicide after her online 'boyfriend', an adult pretending to be her age, broke up with her. In an effort to protect the safety of children and adolescents, various laws have been proposed such as requiring social networking sites to introduce software capable of age verification.


The latest study is good news for parents, Ybarra says. The majority of young people using the Internet are never harassed and never experience unwanted sexual solicitation. This includes social networking sites. Adults also need to understand that for many youth, Ybarra advises, their online world is an extension of their offline world. "Young people experiencing problems online are often experiencing problems offline as well. We need to make sure that we are giving them the support and tools to healthfully navigate across all environments, both online and offline."


Source: Internet Solutions for Kids

CONTACT: Joe Schwab, Internet Solutions for Kids, +1-877-302-6858,
joe@ISolutions4Kids.org


Web site: http://www.is4k.com/

From the Bottom of My Heart

Dear Orikinla,

You and I surprised a lot of people tonight!

In the days after Iowa, I turned to you and asked you to stand with me. When I needed you most, you came through with flying colors.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

All the best,

Hillary Clinton

God Bless New Hampshire for Voting for Hillary Clinton

We thank the Almighty God who gave us victory in New Hampshire.

After Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton lost to Senator Barack Obama in the Iowa Caucuses, the legions of the anti-Clinton cult increased and swarmed the American mainstream news media to frustrate her and accelerate the momentum of the over-hyped Barack Obama into New Hampshire, to defeat Hillary Clinton again. But, I did not give up my support for her good cause. I continued my campaign for her victory on my blogs and websites and other sites.

I am learning many lessons of life from American politics. The lessons I know would be of immense benefit to my country, Nigeria, and me.

Before the polls, I went down on my knees to ask God for divine intervention to give her daughter Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton victory over her enemies and God answered my prayer. I did not wait for the results last night before going to bed. I woke up this morning and prayed as usual in my early morning devotion to God. After my prayers, I went to the main house to greet my younger sister Stella and her children and she greeted me with the good news that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the New Hampshire primary of the Democratic Party. The news was on Sky News and on the CNN. I was elated as I jumped up praising and thanking God for giving us this victory. I went down on my knees and lifted up my hands to thank God with tears of joy in my eyes.

To God be all the glory for our victory!
HillRaisers are jubilating all over America and the rest of the world.

I love you New Hampshire!
I thank you for voting for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
I thank you for giving her the great lift to get her grove back!
I thank you for not losing faith in our hope for the restoration of the American Dream and for the great leadership of America in the world.
God bless New Hampshire!

God bless America!

N.B:
Do not give up your hope, no matter the negative forces or voices of opposition against you, because as long as you are still breathing, and looking ahead, you will make it.
Keep on doing your best for the common good of humanity and you will succeed.
Trust God always, because God answers prayers.

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