Research examines the connection between child sexual assault and social media

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Parents and caregivers: If your child is active on social media, you’ll want to know about new research that sheds light on child sexual assault and its connection to social media.

We know that social media has advantages and disadvantages and that it is evolving every day. We want to make sure children are safe online.

Researchers just addressed their findings Sunday at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference in Orlando.

The new study found that about 7% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 who were treated for sexual assault at a California hospital between 2018 and 2013 met their attacker through social media.

The average age of the victims was 13 years and 89% of them were girls, while about 80% of the perpetrators were adult men.

The lead researcher says social media platforms can provide a false sense of security and so-called friendship.

Other researchers say the threat of social media has changed the way we need to protect our children.

Experts recommend keeping a close eye on children who talk on social networks.

That’s part of her advice to parents this morning, along with having open and honest conversations with your child. It’s important to talk to your child about who they talk to and what they post or share online.

Experts say it’s one thing to make sure they don’t share personal information online, but it’s also important to talk to them about not posting suggestive or provocative content.

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