Risk overstated for kid surfers

Children surfing the web are at no greater risk than when they are offline, according to US report, it says internet related sexual exploitation of young people remains a concern, but research showed it usually involves adolescents well aware that they are engaging with an adult with a view to sexual activity.

The biggest problem for young people, online or off is bullying and harassment by their own age group, submissions from social report from a technical advisory group, most of the research pre-dates the rise of social network and area that needs further investigation, the research shows that the risk minors face online are complex and multifaceted and are in most case not significantly more than those they face offline and that as they get older minors themselves contribute to some of the problems.

Unwanted exposure to pornography does occur online but those most likely to be exposed are those seeking it out, such as older male minors, the youngsters is most danger often have difficulties in other parts of their lives, the psychosocial make up of and family dynamics surrounding particular minor are better predictors of risk than the use of specific media or technologies.