In their own words: Young people’s vulnerabilities to being groomed and sexually abused online

The summary:

This was a qualitative study done in America, with 8 young people about what made them vulnerable to online grooming and sexual abuse, when they were younger, and what served as protective factors.

This study is limited because, among others, of the small sample size, so it cannot be generalized to other samples, but lessons learned are important and vital to remember when doing child protection social work.

Significant findings?
Dominant risk factors (to be groomed and sexually abused online):

• Children with low self esteem
• Children who are lonely
• Being from a reconstituted family
• Living in a home where there are many fights
• Children with separated parents
• Distant from family
• No parent discussion about online safety
• Being bullied at school
• Little or no internet safety education at school
• Living in environment in which child is bored
• Talking to strangers online
• When a child has his or her own internet enabled device
• A child who uses internet in bedroom

Key protective factors:

• Parents who take active steps toward online protection
• Children who are close to wider family
• Children with good close friends
• Children with hobbies and extra curricula activities
• Children who value friendship
• Children who had sex education and who regard school as good
• Children who are happy in living environment
• Children with good neighbours
• A child who rarely shares photos online
• A child who rarely speaks to strangers online