Abstract
Purpose: To analzye adolescents' profiles on MyLol.net, a teen dating Web site, for risk content. We hypothesized that risk content would vary by age and gender. Methods: We selected and coded 752 publicly viewable profiles of adolescents aged 14-18 years for the following five risks: sex, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and violence. Results: Of the total profiles, 27.7% contained risk-related content: 15.8% sexual behavior, 13.8% alcohol use, 1.6% drug use, 6.8% cigarette smoking, and.9% violence activity. Being female, "single" relationship status, and use of profanity (p <.05) were associated with risk content. Conclusions: Females' profiles were most likely to include risky content, especially sexual content. Adolescent females who have internalized social norms that place a high value on female sexuality may reflect this in their online profiles. Online mention of interest/involvement in risky behavior may have negative consequences (e.g., cyberbullies and sexual predators). Stronger universal Internet policies and education are needed to help protect adolescents.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 517-520 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Adolescent Health |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Age differences
- Gender differences
- Online behavior
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Self-presentation
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Adolescents' self-presentation on a teen dating web site: A risk-content analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver