Ivana Ćosić

Exposure of children to sexual content on the Internet in Croatia

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of children and youth exposure to sexual content and inappropriate sexual questions on the Internet; and to identify emotional and behavioral reactions of children after such exposures. METHODS Sample of the study included 2,880 of children and youth aged 10-16 who identified themselves as Internet users. Participants were questioned using Questionnaire on Child Experiences in Internet Use. RESULTS Results show that 27% of children were exposed to messages of sexual content, mostly containing images of human nudity and sexual activity. Study also shows that children have experienced inappropriate sexual questions on the Internet. Exposure to questions of intimate nature increased with their age with certain differences in exposure and disturbing emotional reactions related to gender and age. CONCLUSION Results obtained by this study show that about a quarter of children are at risk for exposure to sexual content on the Internet. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Research results can be used as a starting point for further research in order to throw more light on children and youth exposure to sexual content on the Internet. Furthermore, results can be used in developing prevention strategies for high-risk behavior of children and youth using the Internet and in working with children, parents and teachers.