Interventions for Children, Youth, and Parents to Prevent and Reduce Cyber Abuse

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of cyber abuse interventions in increasing Internet safety knowledge and decreasing risky online behaviour. The scope of this review is experimental and quasi-experimental prevention and intervention strategies that target children ages 5 to 19 years old and/or their parents, utilize a control group, and examine an outcome related to cyber abuse such as Internet safety knowledge, risky online behaviour, or exposure to inappropriate online content. Selection Criteria: The scope of this review is experimental and quasi-experimental prevention and intervention strategies that target children ages 5 to 19 years old and/or their parents, utilize a control group, and examine an outcome related to cyber abuse such as Internet safety knowledge, risky online behaviour, or exposure to inappropriate online content. Search Strategy: We searched the following databases : Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO, PsycLIT, ClinPsyc-clinical subset) ; MEDLINE; EMBASE; Database of reviews of effectiveness (DARE online); ChildData (child health and welfare); ASSIA (applied social sciences); Caredata (social work); Social Work Abstracts; Child Abuse, Child Welfare & Adoption; Cochrane Collaboration ; C2-SPECTR; Social Sciences Abstracts; Social Service Abstracts; Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI). We also handsearched Youth and Society; Journal of Interpersonal Violence; Annual Review of Sex; Computers in Human Behavior; Computers & Education; and Journal of Adolescent Health. Additionally, we contacted experts in the field and searched for grey literature. Data Collection and Analysis:Two screeners reviewed abstracts and full-text of all articles. Three articles met all inclusion criteria, and effect sizes and z-tests were calculated for all relevant outcomes. Main Results: Significantz -tests were found between pre-and post-test scores on measures related to Internet safety knowledge such as managing online risk and identifying online predators. Most -tests related to pre- and post- measures of risky online behaviour were not significant, including disclosing one’s name, participating in open chat rooms, or emailing strangers. Reviewers' Conclusionss: Results provide evidence that participation in psychoeducational Internet safety interventions is associated with an increase in Internet safety knowledge but is not significantly associated with a change in risky online behaviour. The need for further research in this field is highlighted.