A modern danger for adolescents: from online flirtation to sexual abuse

Objective: The Internet is an important communication tool facilitating to access to information. Social media using has been fastly increasing among young people in Turkey. Thus, in terms of online sexual abuse, teenager at risk. In this research evaluated that usage of Internet as child sexual abuse tool, reasons, personal and familial features. Method: Research was made 3429 cases apply to Child Follow-up Center with the claim that child sexual abuse between January 2011-December 2015. The case files were reviewed retrospectively and it was determined that 135 children met with the abuser via Internet. Results: 94.8 % of 135 cases female and 5.2% was male, average age was 15.61. In addition, it was found that 71.1% of the victims were exposed to penetration, and it is seen that 40% of the victims had physical signs of abuse. Also, it is found that 11.1% of the victims were pregnant. Also, several familial risk factors such as low socioeconomic level (97.8%), a low level of parents’ education (59.3%) have been identified. Conclusion: As a result, safe internet use trainings, cyber bullying struggle studies, conscious internet use in risky groups can be useful in preventing such negativities.