Myths, stereotypes and pedophiles

On the contrary knowing how to negotiate a sexual advance made by a peer or a friend may be far more difficult than telling a complete stranger to back off.

Fear of rejection, fear of ostracism within peer networks, and fear of appearing prudish make it very difficult for young people to navigate the complex social dynamics that frame their online lives.

While it’s important that we remain vigilante about adult sexual offenders, it’s also important that we acknowledge the wide range of experiences that young people have, and that we don’t dismiss certain behaviours as “normal sexual socialisation” simply because those behaviours don’t conform to out stereotyped views of what sexual offences look like.

It’s also important that we don’t demonise the internet. For young people everywhere online communication and social networking sites form an important part of social identity construction and it not realistic to simply ban children from connecting and communicating online.

The answer, as usual, is that we should talk to young people, listen to their concerns and allow them the space to think through and reflect on their own experiences. Navigating internet traffic and sexual encounters is never easy, but that’s precisely why we need to start young by arming children and teens with as much age appropriate information as possible. Most importantly, it’s vital that hysteria and panic is replaced by education and reasoned discussion.