Policymakers, legal experts, and social media platforms are currently working to establish rules, legislation, and systems aimed at shielding youth from a variety of online risks, including unwanted sexual solicitations and potential violence. Yet, an important question arises: do all youth need the same uniform protection or can such protection be differentiated based on differing needs? Instead of enacting “Big Brother” type online surveillance systems, picture a digital world where youth navigate a spectrum of online risks and those who are at the highest risk could opt-in to receive additional support and targeted interventions that could protect them more effectively. Such a world is possible.
The majority of youth experience lower levels of online risks, while smaller groups need more attention:
In our recent study, 173 youth aged 13 to 21 in the U.S. were surveyed about their online and offline risks. They were then asked to upload their Instagram data and flag their private conversations for any interactions that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Using their survey responses, we identified five risk profiles; each profile encapsulated a unique set of online and offline risk experiences among youth. The majority of participants fell within the low and medium-risk categories. More concerning, however, were youth in the higher risk profiles that involved sexual risks, self-injurious behaviors, and high-risk perpetration.
Low Risks (51%): This profile represented the largest group of youth who encountered fewer risky experiences both online and offline compared to other profiles.
Medium Risks (29%): Youth in this profile reported moderate levels of risk experiences, including unwanted online sexual risks and offline risk behaviors.
Increased Sexting (8%): This profile of youth exhibited higher levels of interpersonal sexting but lower engagement in other risk behaviors.
Increased Self-Harm (8%): Youth in this profile reported increased offline self-harm experiences and higher levels of unwanted online sexual risks.
High Risk Perpetration (4%): This profile of youth reported the highest levels of online harassment perpetration and also engagement in illegal offline activities.
Next, we examined how well these self-reported profiles aligned with the youths’ donated social media data.
Many youths flag conversations as unsafe even when they engage in them:
Overall, we found that the risk profiles identified above aligned well with how youths themselves flagged risks in their social media private messages, showing a coherent pattern between self-reported experiences in the pre-survey and their social media data. Yet, a few unexpected patterns emerged. For instance, despite youths in the Low Risk profile self-reporting lower levels of offline and online risks of their own, we found instances where these youths were exposed to self-harm disclosures by others. We also found that youths who reported engaging in sexting flagged requests to meet in person as risky, suggesting they felt safer when sexting behaviors stayed in the online realm. Additionally, youths in the Increased Self-Harm profile reported engaging in self-harm offline but exposure to self-harm-related activities online was not reflected in their social media data. Instead, their flagged private messages involved risky online sexual interactions with strangers. Further still engaged sexually explicit conversations while recognizing these as risky – showing awareness of their own behavior's dangers.
These findings offer valuable insights for ongoing conversations about online safety indicating the need for nuanced interventions rather than blanket measures which fail to address diverse needs effectively.
So how do we navigate this shift in perspective?
First: Our work shows developing interventions grounded on lived experiences can create more targeted solutions tailored uniquely per subgroup enhancing effectiveness ensuring suitable support resources per circumstance experienced by young people presently facing challenges
The paper presents examples where tailoring safety measures specifically benefits particular needs like mental health coping strategies addressing both mental health & sexual concerns especially for those falling under Increased Self-Harm Profile whilst different forms prevention science focus towards High-Risk Perpetration involving drug abuse illegal activities preventing perpetuating harm via punishment mechanisms
Secondly: Highlighted prioritizing resources proportionally small segments i.e., Increased Sexting Increased Self-Harm High-Risk Perpetration utilizing triage approach akin medical emergencies ensuring immediate attention resource allocation human-based professionals informational materials community support centers emphasizing valued safety availability assistance upon necessity aiding marginalized sections bridging systemic inequality gaps promoting equitable thriving opportunities digitally
Finally: Participation acknowledgment amongst flagged unsafe awareness harnesses learning growth nurturing resilience coping capacities encountering moderate-low situations designing effective intervention strategies identifying specific high-risk requirements allowing experiential skill development navigating future complexities better equipping knowledge adaptability amidst evolving technological landscape
This research led by Dr Ashwaq Alsoubai Socio-Technical Interaction Research Lab Vanderbilt University mentored Dr Pamela Wisniewski non-resident CDT Fellow funded National Science Foundation opinions findings conclusions recommendations authors solely reflecting sponsors views
