  | The internet has also exposed teens to the world of sex. With one click, teens immerse themselves in a world of free speech and lack of censorship. Currently on the internet, there are 1.3 million adult sites serving over 260 million pages of erotic content. ( Sex Sells) Though these sites are made for adults 18 years and up, teenagers are able to access them. In a recent study done by the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior, teens who frequently watched porn between the ages of 12 and 17 had sex at earlier ages. (Hamill) But some sites like myspace, facebook, AOL chat ,which are designed for teens, use sex to attract their viewers. Not only are teens talking to other teens about sex but there is a danger of teens talking to adults on these websites which causes bigger problems. “The idea that there are people out there in cyberspace preying on children and teenagers is a frightening one. The fact is that while this goes on at an alarming rate there are many adults who are openly forming sexual relationships with teenagers online. They do not misrepresent themselves rather they are clear about there intentions and are looking for sexual relationships with teens. These cases are generally being recorded in the 13 –17 age bracket.” (Teens, Sex and the Internet) There are more and more cases every year illustrating that teens unknowingly meet strangers off the internet. Teens who meet adults from online have extreme risks “STD's and pregnancy they are also risking rape, molestation, kidnapping and death. This is the harsh reality of meeting people online.” (Teens, Sex and the Internet) Teens being exposed to sexual content on the internet has led to a growing rate of teens having sex at earlier ages. Precautions, like the ones used for television, can be used to keep teenagers safe . Parents are able to set parental controls on their children’s activity or install internet monitoring programs on their teens computers. It all comes down to parents taking the initiative. |
