‘I Had No Choice’: Adult Neutralisation of Online Sexual Engagement with Children

Abstract

This study explores sexual contact between adults and minors on live internet chat websites like Omegle using the five-point framework of neutralisation to better understand how this behaviour is justified and rationalised by adult participants in such acts. A thematic content analysis was performed based on a sample of 100 requests for advice posted by anonymous users on two open-source platforms from legal professionals. These requests were all from unidentifiable adults. The key themes identified were ‘denial and minimisation of responsibility’, ‘the motivated poster’, ‘awareness of behaviour’, ‘child sexual abuse (CSA)’, and ‘content moderation and censorship’. The results highlight several processes of blame-shifting and neutralisation that are commonly used by adults when describing incidences of sexual contact with minors on Omegle. It enhances our understanding of sexual interactions occurring on live chat platforms, including those that are harmful and illegal, and presents opportunities for proactive intervention and moderation.