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Almost half of all young people have already been contacted on the Internet by a stranger with undesirable sexual intentions. This is evidenced by the latest study by James from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), which was published on Tuesday. The proportion affected is 44 percent, a massive increase compared to 19 percent in 2014. Girls are affected almost twice as much as boys (55 percent versus 28 percent).
The significant increase in this type of harassment also has to do with the trivialization of sexual content online, say those responsible for the study. A sensitization of young people is necessary on the one hand and of parents and teachers on the other. The older the young, the more experience they have with pornography and sexting.
A good half of 18-19 year olds have already viewed pornographic content on their mobile phones or computers or received erotic photographs from others. The researchers caution: However, according to the researchers, it can also be problematic, as certain pornographic content conveys a false or one-sided image of sexuality and can sometimes be disturbing. Erotic and revealing self-portraits could also be abused and play a role in cyberbullying and sexual harassment.
Pro Juventute emergency phone: 30 percent more calls
Upon request, the Pro Juventute office reports that the number of online inquiries on the topic of sexual harassment has increased by 30 percent compared to the previous year. “It is therefore of great importance that young people and parents are properly sensitized,” says Lulzana Musliu of Pro Juventute. The increase in the number of counseling interviews certainly has to do with more time spent online, but it could also be a sign that young people are more sensitive and more likely to dare to openly declare border crossings.
Why are girls so much more affected by sexual transgressions than boys? Gender researcher Diana Baumgarten from the University of Basel sees a possible explanation in the role models that still prevail. “A girl is still taught from a young age: if you are pretty, you get recognition,” says Baumgarten.
Children and adolescents imitate what they see in their peers and adults. And think: that’s how it has to be. “Pornographic content, for example, still shows a predominantly male sexuality to which women simply submit,” says the expert. What is being consumed in what form and by whom is being harassed and how is it increasingly moving into virtual space. A quarter of young people have already suffered cyberbullying. One in ten of the 12- and 13-year-olds was also affected. Here, too, girls are more likely to be victims than boys.
Always more on the phone
Self-estimated cell phone use time has increased dramatically in the last two years: on a weekend day it is almost two hours higher than in 2018 by around five hours, and during the week young people use cell phones for more than three hours a day, which is 40 more minutes. what 2018 is. However, the duration of Internet use has decreased.
