Problem:
Effects of internet sex.
Although the Internet can be a helpful outlet for some youth in terms of exploring their sexual identify (e.g., LBGT youth who live in small, conservative communities), other youth have problematic sexual interactions or engage in risky behavior via the Internet. Parents often worry about pedophiles and predators contacting their child over the Internet, though, the frequency of this kind of threat is relatively low (Berkman Center for Internet and Society, 2008). A more common phenomenon is adolescents' exposure to pornography and other adult sexual material-whether they are looking for it or not (Owens et al., 2012; Peter & Valkenburg, 2016; Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). Exposure to pornography on the Internet can cause children anxiety and upset. In fact, among 10- to 17-year-olds in one study, 25 percent said that they had unintentionally encountered sexual material, and a significant number were upset or embarrassed by this type of content (Mitchell et al., 2003). Exposure to sexual images is not always accidental; however, as some adolescents, especially boys, seek out sexually explicit images (Peter & Valkenburg, 2006, 2016). Another risk is that youth can engage in sexual communication online that they might not feel comfortable engaging in person and that they may not be psychologically ready for. As discussed later, this can involve texting or messaging with individual peers and can even include sending sexually explicit pictures. Need Assignment Help?