Electronic and online sexual behavior has become increasingly more critical to understand and address in children and adolescents. Our society’s reliance on and 24-hour access to social networking and media means that children are regularly exposed to mature content and sexual themes. In response, clinicians working with children and adolescents, ages 8-18, need to feel equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to address these issues alongside caregivers. This means understanding not only how youth interact and engage with online media, but also how youth perceive their interactions.
This didactic presentation will explore the pathways by which youth encounter sexual media online and the subsequent effects on their social and emotional health. Considerations for military-connected youth experiences will be included. The presenters will also introduce various therapeutic techniques to address online problematic sexual behavior and empower clinicians to address this topic in their work with children and families.
Learning Objectives:
- Increase awareness around youth-frequented, accessible pathways to online sexually explicit media
- Understand how online sexual content impacts the social and emotional health of military-connected youth
- Learn techniques to effectively intervene in online problematic sexual behavior
