schrockmedia

A draft of "Online Threats to Youth: Solicitation, Harassment, and Problematic Content" is now completed and available for public review. This document is a review of research literature on the risks posed by the Internet to youth (children and adolescents), as well as from specific technologies and social media. The focus of the document is on quantitative, national-level studies based in the United States, although qualitative studies and those involving more localized populations are also referenced. It will ultimately be used to advise the Internet Safety Technical Task Force at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, and attached as an appendix to the Task Force when it is released in January.

This document was authored by myself and danah boyd. We received incalculable assistance through comments and suggestions from the research advisory board, which includes David Finkelhor (Director, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center), Eszter Hargittai (Associate Professor of Communications, Northwestern University), Sameer Hinduja (Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University), Amanda Lenhart (Senior Research Specialist, Pew Internet and American Life Project), Kimberly Mitchell (Research Assistant Professor, UNH-CCRC), Justin Patchin (Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire), Larry Rosen (Professor of Psychology, California State University, Dominguez Hills), Janis Wolak (Research Assistant Professor, UNH-CCRC), and Michele Ybarra (President, Internet Solutions for Kids).

The purpose of posting this document for public review is to get feedback, particularly on new areas of research, and more generally on the scope and accuracy of the summarized data. Please feel free to review the document and give us feedback on danah's blog, or over email at aschrock@cyber.law.harvard.edu and danah@danah.org. I'll post more details about the document in the coming weeks, and look forward to your responses.

Labels: contact, content, internet, online predators, pornography, risks, safety, threats