Survey highlights new child porn danger

By Iain Thomson on Jul 25, 2007 10:32 AM
Filed under Security

A survey of 1,500 children who regularly use the internet suggests that one in 25 has been asked for a nude photograph of themselves.

The research, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that the increasing use of digital cameras and the internet is creating a growing problem.

Specific sections of youth are being targeted by paedophiles, and those working in paediatrics needed to be more aware of the risk factors.

"The findings from this study provide support for including requests for sexual pictures in the spectrum of online experiences about which paediatric and adolescent health professionals need to be knowledgeable," said the report by Kimberly J. Mitchell, David Finkelhor and Janis Wolak.

"These findings also provide information about populations that need targeted prevention education about online dangers, namely abused boys and girls and female black youths."

Only one of the 10-17 year-olds surveyed had actually sent a picture, but the researchers claim that, if the figures are accurate, there is a huge problem.

The reports warned that many adolescents do not realise how quickly such images can spread over the internet and for what purposes they might be used.