Examine: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

Tho’ social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have come under fire in latest years as havens for sexual predators, incidents of predators actually contacting teenagers through these sites are less prevalent than media reports might suggest, according to a probe released this week.

"A close perusal of media stories suggests that online molesters have not switched their tactics as a result of the advent of social networking sites," according to a report from the University of Fresh Hampshire’s Internet Solution for Kids, Inc. that will be published in the February/March issue of American Psychologist.

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related lovemaking crimes … and we have yet to find cases of hookup offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

Kids with social networking sites are "no more likely than other youths online to have awkward or scary contacts with unknown people," the report said. Instead, teenagers are more likely to be targeted by predators via talk rooms and instant messages.

The findings do not mean that teenagers should have carte blanche to share all the intimate details of their life with three hundred of their closest "friends," the examine warned. "Caution should be used in interpreting this puny amount of research about a fresh phenomenon."

Sexual predators are not overlooking the social networking space, however. Last summer MySpace deleted as many as 30,000 profiles it said belonged to sexual predators. Earlier this year, the site also released a joint statement inbetween MySpace and the nation’s attorneys general, focusing on age verification and the protection of minors already on MySpace.

In September 2007, Fresh York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo opened an investigation into Facebook’s safety measures. Posing as children, members of Cuomo’s staff were "repeatedly solicited by adult sexual predators on Facebook," according to a statement.

The following month, Facebook and Cuomo reached an agreement whereby Facebook agreed to pursue sex-related user complaints within twenty four hours, and permit an independent examiner to report on Facebook’s compliance for the next two years.

Tho’ social networking sites and talk rooms are intended to connect people who might not have otherwise met, talking to unacquainted users online shows up to be where most of the problems embark for youthfull Web users.

The Fresh Hampshire examine identified several characteristics that make youthful Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their mate lists, loosely talked about hook-up with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthful Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Children who have a history of sexual or physical manhandle, are dealing with family problems or have a history of risk-taking behavior are also more likely to be drawn into questionable screenplays with online predators, the examine said.

Ladies were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the investigate said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Researchers did find, however, that a majority of predators who coaxed their victims to meet in person did not resort to violence or abduct the children. Most are "patient enough to develop relationships with victims and savvy enough to budge those relationships forward," the report said.

One reason for this is that Internet use in the early 2000s was largely concentrated among tech-savvy individuals who had higher educations and incomes, "statuses hard to obtain by those with impulsive and violent inclinations," the probe found.

Basically, violent predators tend to be anti-social individuals who generally lack the abilities to manipulate kids through online banter. That pattern "may be switching," however, as different technologies emerge, the probe said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Investigate: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Explore: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

However social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have come under fire in latest years as havens for sexual predators, incidents of predators actually contacting teenagers through these sites are less prevalent than media reports might suggest, according to a explore released this week.

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related hookup crimes … and we have yet to find cases of hookup offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The findings do not mean that teenagers should have carte blanche to share all the intimate details of their life with three hundred of their closest "friends," the probe warned. "Caution should be used in interpreting this puny amount of research about a fresh phenomenon."

Sexual predators are not disregarding the social networking space, however. Last summer MySpace deleted as many as 30,000 profiles it said belonged to sexual predators. Earlier this year, the site also released a joint statement inbetween MySpace and the nation’s attorneys general, focusing on age verification and the protection of minors already on MySpace.

However social networking sites and talk rooms are intended to connect people who might not have otherwise met, talking to unacquainted users online shows up to be where most of the problems commence for youthfull Web users.

The Fresh Hampshire explore identified several characteristics that make youthfull Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their friend lists, loosely talked about hookup with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthfull Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Ladies were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the explore said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Researchers did find, however, that a majority of predators who persuaded their victims to meet in person did not resort to violence or abduct the children. Most are "patient enough to develop relationships with victims and savvy enough to budge those relationships forward," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Investigate: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Examine: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The investigate relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related hook-up crimes … and we have yet to find cases of hook-up offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The findings do not mean that teenagers should have carte blanche to share all the intimate details of their life with three hundred of their closest "friends," the investigate warned. "Caution should be used in interpreting this puny amount of research about a fresh phenomenon."

Tho’ social networking sites and talk rooms are intended to connect people who might not have otherwise met, talking to unacquainted users online emerges to be where most of the problems begin for youthfull Web users.

The Fresh Hampshire probe identified several characteristics that make youthful Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their mate lists, loosely talked about hook-up with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthfull Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Women were more likely to be victimized than boys, tho’ gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the investigate said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Researchers did find, however, that a majority of predators who wooed their victims to meet in person did not resort to violence or abduct the children. Most are "patient enough to develop relationships with victims and savvy enough to stir those relationships forward," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Probe: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Examine: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related lovemaking crimes … and we have yet to find cases of hook-up offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The findings do not mean that teenagers should have carte blanche to share all the intimate details of their life with three hundred of their closest "friends," the explore warned. "Caution should be used in interpreting this petite amount of research about a fresh phenomenon."

The Fresh Hampshire explore identified several characteristics that make youthfull Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their pal lists, loosely talked about lovemaking with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthfull Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Ladies were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the examine said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Probe: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Explore: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The Fresh Hampshire investigate identified several characteristics that make youthful Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their friend lists, loosely talked about lovemaking with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthful Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Damsels were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the investigate said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Examine: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Probe: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The probe relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The Fresh Hampshire examine identified several characteristics that make youthfull Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their acquaintance lists, loosely talked about hookup with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthful Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Chicks were more likely to be victimized than boys, tho’ gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the explore said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Researchers did find, however, that a majority of predators who persuaded their victims to meet in person did not resort to violence or abduct the children. Most are "patient enough to develop relationships with victims and savvy enough to stir those relationships forward," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Examine: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Investigate: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The probe relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related lovemaking crimes … and we have yet to find cases of lovemaking offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The Fresh Hampshire explore identified several characteristics that make youthful Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their friend lists, loosely talked about hook-up with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthful Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Damsels were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the explore said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Explore: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Probe: Lovemaking Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

The Fresh Hampshire probe identified several characteristics that make youthfull Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their acquaintance lists, loosely talked about hookup with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthful Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Chicks were more likely to be victimized than boys, however gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the examine said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Explore: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Probe: Hook-up Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook

The examine relies on data collected inbetween two thousand and 2007, including interviews with teenage Internet users as well as federal, state and local law enforcement officials.

"Inbetween June and October 2007, we conducted over four hundred interviews with police about Internet-related hook-up crimes … and we have yet to find cases of lovemaking offenders stalking and abducting minors on the basis of information posted on social networking sites," report authors said.

MySpace made its debut in February 1999, while Facebook was made available to college students in February two thousand four and to the general public in September 2006.

However social networking sites and talk rooms are intended to connect people who might not have otherwise met, talking to unacquainted users online emerges to be where most of the problems embark for youthfull Web users.

The Fresh Hampshire examine identified several characteristics that make youthfull Internet users more likely to be targeted by offenders regardless of the platform they use. Kids who spoke to unknown people online, had unacquainted people on their pal lists, loosely talked about hookup with strangers online, looked for pornographic material on the Internet, or who were routinely "rude or nasty" while online were found to be at greater risk.

Youthfull Web users with three or four of these characteristics were five to eleven times more likely to be victimized, the report concluded.

Damsels were more likely to be victimized than boys, tho’ gay boys or those who were confused about their sexiness were also susceptible to predators, the explore said.

But who are these predators? On the entire, offenders are a "diverse group that cannot be accurately characterized with one-dimensional labels," the report said.

Researchers did find, however, that a majority of predators who persuaded their victims to meet in person did not resort to violence or abduct the children. Most are "patient enough to develop relationships with victims and savvy enough to stir those relationships forward," the report said.

Those technologies could include removable storage, mobile Internet access, and widespread access to digital photography.

Investigate: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook, News & Opinion

Probe: Hookup Offenders Use Talk Rooms, Not Facebook