Navigating, being tricked, and blaming oneself—A meta-synthesis of youth's experience of involvement in online child sexual abuse

Abstract

Social media use is an integrated part of youth's social life, enabling access to knowledge and social exploration, but it also increases the risk of experiencing online child sexual abuse (OCSA). Quantitative reviews of OCSA provide insights into prevalence, risk factors, and mental health outcomes, but we have limited knowledge about how youth experience OCSA. This study aims to synthesize qualitative studies on youth's (12–24 years of age) first-person experiences of OCSA. We conducted a systematic database search and included 16 studies. The meta-synthesis resulted in three meta-themes: (1) “Navigating in a digital world – feeling safe and understood,” (2) “Being lured, tricked, and caught up in online child sexual abuse,” and (3) “Facing the consequences – feeling powerless and blaming oneself.” Although the studies included most females, findings apply to all genders and across ages. The results highlight how online sexual engagement is a way to explore social and sexual relationships and address a basic need to be understood and supported. However, when trust is misused, developmental tasks related to autonomy and agency may be shattered, replaced with shame and self-blame. These findings point to the need to openly and nonjudgementally address OCSA so that it can be disclosed, and the psychological impact can be addressed.