D’Ovidio, Rob, Mitman, Tyson ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4093-8485, El-Burki, Imaani Jamillah and Shumar, Wesley (2009) Adult-Child Sex Advocacy Websites as Social Learning Environments: A Content Analysis. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 3 (3). pp. 421-440.

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Abstract

This study reports on a content analysis of 64 websites that promote, advocate, and convey
information in support of sexual relationships between adults and children to determine whether these
sites were structured as learning environments for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
The findings indicate that the adult-child sex advocacy websites examined are criminogenic in that
they contain a myriad of communication tools (e.g. chat rooms, instant messengers, and message
boards) to foster interaction among site users and expose users to rationalizations for offending and, in
turn, definitions favorable to sexual violations against minors. Given the present findings, the courts
and community corrections officials should consider expanding restrictions put on the Internet use of
offenders released on parole and defendants on probation to include adult-child sex advocacy websites.
Additionally, companies offering website hosting services should modify their terms of service
agreements to ban content advocating sexual relationships between adults and children.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HA Statistics H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races K Law > KF United States Federal Law
School/Department:	York Business School
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/3504

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