NCJ Number
234912
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2011 Pages: 23-36
Date Published
March 2011
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper helps to raise awareness about children's use of the Internet and online risks.
Abstract
This paper presents a number of characteristics of the Internet that makes it attractive to online groomers. Relevant Internet characteristics include disconnected personal communication, mediating technology, universality, network externalities, distribution channel, time moderator, low-cost standard, electronic double, electronic double manipulation, information asymmetry, infinite virtual capacity, independence in time and space, cyberspace, and dynamic social network. Potential sex offenders join virtual communities, where they meet other persons who have the same interest. A virtual community provides an online meeting place where people with similar interests can communicate and find useful information. Communication between members may be via email, bulletin boards, online chat, Web-based conferencing or other computer-based media. (Published Abstract)