Violence
Online Sexual Victimization and Pornography Consumption Among College Students.
Open Access: Yes.
Abstract
Online sexual victimization, closely linked to pornography consumption, is a significant problem among young people. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of online sexual victimization and patterns of pornography consumption among college students, as well as the variables that predict such victimization. The sample comprised 540 college students aged 17 to 25. Descriptive, correlational, and predictive analyses were conducted. Results showed a 69.1% prevalence of online sexual victimization, with females reporting a greater number of experiences, and a 71.5% prevalence of pornography consumption, which was higher among male students (97.5%) than female students (60.3%). Being female (IRR = 4.15), being older (IRR = 1.14), engaging in sexting (IRR = 1.14), frequently consuming pornography (IRR = 1.14), and exhibiting higher levels of attitudes toward aggressive behaviors in dating situations (IRR = 1.01) and of benevolent sexism (IRR = 1.01) predicted a higher number of experiences of online sexual victimization. Conversely, perceived family support (IRR = 0.97) emerges as a protective factor. The overall model showed a Nagelkerke R2 of 0.2587. The study highlights the importance of addressing the multiple digital risks faced by college students from a gender perspective, training them to intervene in these issues, and extending this knowledge across all age groups, including children and adolescents.
Relevance
“Of the college students, 69.1% (n = 373) reported having experienced at least one instance of online sexual victimization in the past 12 months. The most common experience was receiving messages from unknown adults intended to flirt, reported by 61.3% (n = 331) of participants, followed by being seduced through flattery and sweet talk by an adult online (40.7%, n = 220). Likewise, 24.1% (n = 130) reported having been pressured to send or show provocative images or videos, and 20.2% (n = 109) to show private body parts. In addition, 16.1% (n = 87) reported having been seduced through material gifts. In contrast, the least frequent experiences were threats or blackmail to discuss sex online (7.2%, n = 39) and threats to disseminate compromising images in order to obtain something in return (4.4%, n = 24).”
Girls reported a higher number of experiences of online sexual victimization; the difference was statistically significant.
Boys reported a statistically signifiant higher consumption of pornography.
Online sexual victimization was significantly associated with pornography consumption and sexting. The frequency of pornography consumption, aas well as the frequency of sexting, benevolent sexism, and attitudes towards aggressive behaviors in dating, each “predicted a higher number of experiences of online sexual victimization.”
Last, “higher perceived family support predicted a lower number of reported experiences of online sexual victimization in the regression model.”
Citation
Llano-Abasolo, U., Jaureguizar, J., Biota, I., & Dosil-Santamaría, M. (2026). Online Sexual Victimization and Pornography Consumption Among College Students. Youth, 6(4), Article 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth6040140
