NCJ Number
215335
Journal
Techbeat Dated: Spring 2006 Pages: 4,12
Date Published
2006
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article identifies some of the dangers and unwanted materials that youth may encounter when using the Internet, and it describes how the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Cyber-Science Laboratory (CSL) is working with law enforcement agencies to address these threats.
Abstract
The Internet has become a tool for sexual predators in making contact with unsuspecting girls and boys who enter chat rooms. The Internet also exposes youth and children to unwanted pornography, bullying, and hate mail, often from other teens who know their e-mail address. According to I-SAFE America, 42 percent of children surveyed in 2004 said they had been bullied online; 35 percent reported being threatened online; and 21 percent indicated they had received demeaning or threatening messages online. A study by the National Center of Missing & Exploited Children found that one in four children between the ages of 10 and 17 had been exposed to unwanted sexual material online. CSL, which is part of NIJ's Electronic Crime Program, works with law enforcement officers in planning and presenting seminars on Internet and child safety for parents and the community. Law enforcement agencies promote the seminars and provide the audience while CSL provides content, either in person or through detailed technical assistance that includes a variety of electronic media and information resources. CSL also offers seminars on collecting electronic evidence.