Honors Theses and Capstones

Date Completed

Spring 2026

Abstract

The following review examines how youth exposure to sexual images online is conceptualized and measured as abusive within epidemiological research on online child sexual abuse (OCSA). As digital environments reshape sexual socialization, scholars debate whether and when exposure to sexual content constitutes abuse. To address this issue, this study conducts a qualitative content analysis of 27 survey items drawn from 20 empirical studies of youth online experiences. Survey questions about sexual image exposure were coded across four dimensions: volition, personalization, image or text, and explicitness. Findings reveal significant definitional inconsistency. Many studies rely on ambiguous terms such as “sexual” or “indecent”, and few items adequately capture power dynamics or coercion. This study conceptualizes exposure as existing along a continuum shaped by consent, context, and social relations. It proposes a more precise framework for identifying abusive exposure, emphasizing non-consensual, targeted, and explicit image-based interactions. Clarifying these boundaries is essential for improving measurement, advancing theory on digital sexual socialization, and informing policy responses to youth online harm.

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

David Finkelhor

College or School

COLA

Department or Program

Sociology

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

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