Study: Kids meet fewer online predators

DURHAM, N.H., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Children are less likely than they were a few years ago to encounter sexual predators online, a University of New Hampshire study found.

But researchers said Internet bullying and pornographic solicitations are more common, USA Today said.

The Crimes Against Children Research Center surveyed 1,500 children ages 10 to 17 last year and compared the findings to a 2000 survey. In 2005, 13 percent of respondents said they had received sexual solicitations, down from 19 percent in 2000.

David Finkelhor, the center's director, said 43 percent of the sexual solicitations come from other children, not from adult predators. He attributed the drop to children being warned about the dangers of strangers on the Internet and to their spending less time in chat rooms.

While 6 percent of children reported being upset by unwanted pornography in 2000, the figure is now 9 percent. Finkelhor believes increased high-speed Internet access has outweighed the increased use of anti-porn filters.

Finkelhor said Internet bullying is an issue that needs attention.

"We were concerned that not only were kids being harassed more, but they were doing more harassing," he said.