Social media used to facilitate sexual assault in children: new research
Social media offers benefits for teens but also can be used as a tool by predators online, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition
ORLANDO, Fla.— About 7% of more than 1,000 teens who disclosed sexual abuse at a California hospital reported that social media was used to facilitate the assault, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.
The retrospective study, “Social Media Facilitated Sexual Assault in Children,” found that, when accounting only for victims whose perpetrators were not related to them, an even higher percentage – 12%-- reported that social media facilitated sexual assault. The authors will present their preliminary findings during the conference at the Orlando Convention Center Sept. 27-Oct. 1.
“Adolescents are increasingly living their lives in digital spaces,” said Miguel Cano, MD, a child abuse pediatrician and author of the research. “Although there are benefits to the use of social media such as connecting with people and keeping in touch with family and friends across the globe, there are many well documented dangers as well.”
The researchers evaluated children 10 to 18 years of age who disclosed sexual abuse at Rady Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families between 2018 and 2023. They defined “social media facilitated sexual assault” as occurring when social media is used for communication between a victim and perpetrator that leads to sexual assault.
Dangers include meeting strangers online or being subjected to various forms of maltreatment including emotional abuse, cyber bullying, harassment, threats, exposure to sexual content, and being victims of online sexual abuse, according to the author.
Another emerging risk is “meeting” strangers virtually and then planning to meet face to face, which can often result in dangerous situations, and can at times unfortunately result in sexual abuse, according to the abstract.
Instagram and Snapchat were the two most commonly reported social media platforms used, however, multiple platforms were reported. The average age of patients was 13 years old, and 89% were female. The patient was related to the perpetrator 60% of the time. About 80% of perpetrators were adult men.
“With few oversights and regulations, parents, pediatricians, and anyone who cares for children need to understand this danger and need better tools and resources to help keep children safe from predators on social media,” Dr. Cano said.
Study author Dr. Cano, is scheduled to present his research, which is below, from 1:50-2pm on 10/27/24.
Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/
ABSTRACT
Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts
Submission Type: Council on Child Abuse and Neglect
Abstract Title: Social Media Facilitated Sexual Assaults in Children
Natalie Laub and Miguel Cano
San Diego, CA, United States
With the popularity of social media (SM) amongst children and adolescents, the dangers of online platforms are becoming more evident, including meeting sexual predators. Social media facilitated sexual assault (SMFSA) occurs when social media facilitates communication between a victim and perpetrator that leads to a sexual assault. While prior literature suggests technology can play a role in facilitating sexual assaults, there is no specific literature on the prevalence of child sexual abuse victims who report meeting their perpetrator via social media platforms such as Instagram. Thus our objectives were to 1) identify the prevalence of child sexual abuse victims who disclosed meeting their perpetrator on social media, and 2) identify which SM platforms were reported most frequently.
This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of children 10 to 18 years of age who disclosed sexual abuse at Rady Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families between 2018-2023. Data was collected in RedCAP and analyzed via Stata using descriptive statistics and Chi Squared/Fisher’s exact
Of the 1062 patients included, the mean age was 13 years (SD 1.9), 89% were female, 36% White, and 19% Hispanic. The patient was related to alleged perpetrator 60% of the time. 80% of perpetrators were adult men. In the total population 7% reported SM was used to facilitate the sexual assault. When accounting only for victims with non-related perpetrators, there was a statistically significant increase in SMFSA at 12% (P value < 0.0001). Snapchat followed by Instagram were the most common platforms used. There was no statistical significance in acquisition of sexually transmitted disease or physical injury between the two groups.
Social media platforms are being used to facilitate sexual assault in children between the ages of 10-18 years. Instagram and Snapchat are the two most common reported social media platforms. Further research is needed to understand how to keep children safe from predators on social media.
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Dangerous practice ‘chroming’ featured in videos on social media platform popular among youth
Researchers to present their analysis of TikTok videos showing inhalants use during American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition
Reports and ProceedingsORLANDO, Fla.— A resurgence of youth seeking a high from “chroming” -- the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish or permanent markers—could be due to videos featuring the practice on the popular social media platform, TikTok, according to new research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.
The abstract, “Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok,” examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage. Researchers will present their findings at the Orange County Convention Center during the AAP conference Sept. 27-Oct. 1.
“What is particularly concerning about chroming is that it uses everyday household items that are easily accessible to teens,” said Keerthi Krishna, research assistant at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center and first author. “The covert nature of these items means that parents and teachers are less likely to detect the behavior, significantly increasing the risk of repeated usage and addiction among adolescents.”
Chroming, also called “huffing,” typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death.
The authors analyzed 109 videos on chroming that together had gained more than 25 million views. They collected data on: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend.
Of the videos analyzed, permanent markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7).
More than half of the videos referenced repeated usage or addiction.
The authors conclude that parents and pediatricians need to be aware of this trend and its dangers, and social media companies should do more to prevent the spread of such harmful content.
Study author Rachel Kim, is scheduled to present the research, which is below, on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5:15-6:15 pm ET during Session H2020.
In addition, Rachel Kim will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a press conference from 12-1:30 pm on Saturday in the National Conference Press Room, W208 AB. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 407-685-5401.
Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal.
# # #
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/
ABSTRACT
Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts
Submission Type: Council on Adolescents and Young Adults
Abstract Title: Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok
Shruthi Krishna
Lake Success, NY, United States
“Chroming”, also known as “huffing,” is the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish remover, permanent markers, and/or aerosol deodorant. Chroming typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death. While chroming isn't a new activity for adolescents, it has resurged with the help of social media apps. TikTok is one such social media platform with children aged 10-19 as its largest user demographic. This study examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage.
The top TikTok videos labeled with #huffing and #chroming were analyzed (n=400). The following data was collected: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend. Descriptive analysis was conducted in R.
A total of 109 videos (25,705,679 views) met inclusion criteria. The age range of video creators were 39% (n=43) minors, 26% (n=28) college aged, 22% (n=24) young adults, and 13% (n=14) anonymous. 50% (n=54) of creators had a perceived gender of female, while 31% (n=31) were male and 19% (n=21) were anonymous. Markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7) (Table 1). Of the 109 videos, 70% (n=77) were memes; common memes included the phrase “in X years when the [chroming item] catches up to me” (n=17), and a towel and deodorant visual (n=10) (Table 1). Fifty-two percent (n=57) of videos referenced repeated usage or addiction.
Our findings underscore the urgent need for increased moderation efforts from social media platforms like TikTok to stop the dissemination of chroming content. A concerning amount of video creators were minors, highlighting the vulnerability of children engaging in harmful behaviors. Chroming items are often common household items, making them readily accessible and cheap, with a high potential for addiction and severe health consequences. Further, the high prevalence of chroming memes perpetuates its normalization among youth, which may lead individuals to view chroming as a "safer" and socially acceptable alternative to traditional drugs. Thus, there is a strong need for pediatricians to discuss the dangers of chroming with caregivers and patients.
Table 1: Examples of Chroming TikToks
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