Intent of Video Chat Room Users among Different Ages and Genders

Abstract

Previous research has found a connection between age and gender throughout online communications. Children using the internet and chat rooms to communicate are being exposed to sexual predators and sexual content that they do not consent to. Our goal was to research whether adolescents were exploiting themselves online voluntarily or if they are exposed to harmful material from the adults using the website. We also wanted to research whether males or females were more likely to use video chat room websites for sexual purposes. Our hypothesis was that more male adults will use the websites for sexual purposes than any other demographic. The results of this naturalistic observation study were not statistically significant, but did show slight trends in sexual behavior.