Moderating factors of the association between being sexually solicited by adults and active online sexual behaviors in adolescents

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 124; p. 106935
• Main Authors: Calvete, E., Fernández-González, L., Royuela-Colomer, E., Morea, A., Larrucea-Iruretagoyena, M., Machimbarrena, J.M., Gónzalez-Cabrera, J., Orue, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescents; Adults; Internet; Online grooming; Online sexual solicitation; Problematic internet use; Sexting; Sexual behavior; Sexualized interaction with adults; Teenagers; Online sexual solicitation; Sexting; Sexualized interaction with adults; Online grooming; Problematic internet use
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.106935

Online sexual solicitation involves receiving sexual solicitations from adults, which can be followed by active online sexual behaviors by the victims. This study examined the moderator role of some characteristics of adolescents (sex, age, and problematic Internet use) that could make them more vulnerable to react by engaging in active sexual behaviors when they are the recipients of sexual solicitations. The final sample was comprised of 1260 adolescents (55.6% girls, 12–17 years) who completed measures in two waves with an interval of one year. The measures included online sexual solicitation, active sexual interaction with an adult, and sexting to friends and/or one's partner in both waves of the study. Sexual solicitations by adults predicted an increase in sexualized interactions with adults and sending sexts to friends and/or one's partner. Moderation tests indicated that, although girls receive more sexual solicitations, they are actively involved to a lesser extent than boys in sexualized interactions with adults and in sending sexts. The youngest adolescents received fewer sexual solicitations, but those who did receive sexual solicitations sent more sexts to friends and/or one's partner. Problematic Internet use, although associated with all online sexual risks, did not moderate the dynamics between risks.
•Sexual solicitation predicted sexualized interactions with adults.•Sexual solicitation predicted sexting to other people.•Girls receive sexual solicitations more often.•Girls are less likely to react through active online sexual behaviors than boys.•Youngest teenagers are more vulnerable when they are sexually solicited.