Adolescents’ Exposure to Online Risks: Gender Disparities and Vulnerabilities Related to Online Behaviors

Abstract

In the last decade, readily available electronic devices have created unprecedented opportunities for teens to access a wide variety of information and media–both positive and negative–on the internet. Despite the increasing number of initiatives taking place worldwide intended to assess and mitigate the online risks encountered by children and adolescents, there is still a need for a better understanding of how adolescents use the internet and their susceptibility to exposure to risks in the online space. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of a convenience sample of 733 8th and 9th grade students in Utah. The survey contained eight questions regarding students’ exposure to three types of online risk scenarios: content risk, contact risk, and criminal risk. Independent variables included students’ online behaviors, use of social media and private messaging apps, and adult supervision of online activities. Logistic and negative binomial regression models indicated that gender, social media use, and chatting with strangers were associated with exposure to multiple risky online scenarios. Our results provide critical information to educators involved in the development of initiatives focusing on the reduction of youth online risk by identifying correlates of risky online events, allowing them to tailor their initiatives to meet the needs of potentially vulnerable populations.

Social Isolation and Online Relationship-Risk Encounters among Adolescents with Special Educational Needs

“…These results further our understanding of the impact of gender on the digital lives and experiences of adolescents with SEN, though it might be argued that this only further complicates the role of gender overall. Previous research has suggested that female internet users are more susceptible to online harassment [41], whilst boys were found to behave more explicitly in their online interactions [56], but the significant interaction effect identified in this study indicates a more complex relationship between gender, SEN, and online relationship-risk encounters, which should be afforded greater attention in future research.…”

“…Online risks are generally defined and identified by their probability to cause harm [21,39], and this is the case for the relationship-risk encounters which are of interest. These Contact-type risks involve potentially dangerous or problematic communications with other internet users [40], who may be known or unknown to the individual [41,42]. Given that the internet can be used to form relationships and to facilitate communication and interaction, the likelihood of encountering online relationship risks is potentially high for associated harms.…”

“…Despite the lack of a definitive conclusion as to whether there are gender differences in the use of the internet to socialise and communicate, research has shown differences in susceptibility and exposure to certain risk types. Savoia et al [41] identified females as more likely to experience online harassment and unwanted conversations, whilst Heiman and Olenik-Shemesh [59] stated that females were more likely to be cyber victims than cyber perpetrators. Whether such differences are also present for adolescents with SEN is not currently clear as there is very limited research into gender and SEN as predictors or correlates of online relationship-risk encounters.…”

Associations of social media and health content use with sexual risk behaviours among adolescents in South Africa

“…A recent meta-analysis showed that frequent use of social media among adolescents is associated with increased risks of drug use, risky sexual practices and violent behaviours. 19 …”

A cross-sectional study of gender role adherence, moral disengagement mechanisms and online vulnerability in adolescents

“…These authors highlighted that the awareness of belonging to a vulnerable group may incite more fear and stronger reactions. Savoia and co-workers [ 33 ] suggested the role of social factors that make girls more vulnerable to harassment, violence, and sexual abuse. Michael and Ben-Zur [ 34 ] found that boys are more influenced by peers' norms, whereas online risky behavior for girls is more related to the quality of their relationships with their parents.…”