Surveyed Internet-using youth and their caretakers nationwide to investigate youth exposure to unwanted sexual material. One-quarter of the adolescents encountered unwanted sexual pictures in the past year. About one-quarter of those exposed were extremely upset, while the rest had no negative reactions. The use of filtering and blocking software…

This paper evaluates current knowledge about the prevalence, dynamics, and short- and long-term effects of sexual exploitation among missing children. It is based upon empirical research findings from books, papers presented at professional meetings, doctoral dissertations, works in progress, and more than 75 articles in professional journals.…

Nearly 24 million youth, ages 10 through 17, were online regularly in 1999. Large numbers of young people, when on the Internet, are encountering sexual solicitations they do not want, sexual material they did not seek, and people who threaten and harass them. A national survey described in this paper and administered to 1,501 young people, ages…