Online Sexual Predators-Misconceptions & Concerns

I recently read an article in the American Psychologist (Online Predators and their Victims) as well as results from the second Youth Internet Safety Survey (YISS-2) by the Crimes Against Children Research Center that were interesting in terms of the portrayal of online sexual predators. The typical online child molester is not a pedophile, lurking online, trying to find someone's location and home and to lure and abduct a child. Those who have been caught by law enforcement (not in a sting or set-up type situation) were found to typically be more internet savvy and to be younger than many parents and children expect. They are not pedophiles in that they are not sexually aroused by prepubescent children. Rather, they are adults over the age of 18 who are primarily attracted to younger teenagers, leading researchers to consider the term"hebephiles" as they are not typically pedophiles.

These predators use grooming techniques to lure an underage teen into meeting offline for sex. They are very good at telling when someone is a real teen or is posing as one for law enforcement busts or stings. They are more intelligent and manipulative and know the right things to say. This presents a danger to kids and teens who may not be as aware of someone who is more clean-cut and younger.

On the other hand, online child molestors who have been caught and charged differ from those caught in sting operations as sensationalized by such shows as "To Catch a Predator." These shows catch predators (or at the least, potential predators) no doubt, but they are not the typical predator who accounts for most of the child (meaning under age 18) sexual abuse. Those caught in stings tend to have a criminal record and to be less internet savvy.

Of concern is the finding that adolescents who were involved with online sexual predators were most often seeking out sexual contact with someone older. This makes it even easier for sexual predators to entice and lure their victims into an offline meeting.

We need to talk to teens about online predators in an educated way, giving them the real information about what research, and not the popular media, has found to be the case. Not talking about or looking for sex with older adults (or anyone online, for that matter) is crucial because younger adolescents do not have the experience, emotional control, or cognitive capacity to handle mature adult romantic relationships.