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Internet Seduction: Online sex offenders prey on at-risk teens

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Widespread fears that online sexual predators mainly target naive children are largely inaccurate, according to a new study of Internet-initiated sex crimes.

AT RISK. New research suggests that online sex offenders usually target psychologically vulnerable teens, especially girls, for seduction into sexual relationships. Photodisc

Instead, the vast majority of online sex offenders are adults who contact vulnerable 13- to 17-year-olds and seduce them into sexual relationships, says a team led by lawyer and sociologist Janis Wolak of the University of New Hampshire in Durham.