Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a persistent problem in the United States, yet few youth-oriented CSEC prevention tools exist. The objectives of this project were to develop an educational website about CSEC for adolescents and evaluate it through pre- and posttests of adolescents' knowledge and attitudes about CSEC. Results demonstrated increases in participants' CSEC knowledge and decreases in their tolerance of CSEC after navigating the website and viewing an embedded video. Qualitative and quantitative results suggest that CSEC is deemed an important issue by adolescents and web-based content is a relevant and useful mode through which to educate adolescents about CSEC. Consideration should be given to further exploration of this and other tools for CSEC prevention tailored to adolescents' needs and preferences. © 2016 Springer Publishing Company.

online education Adolescent Exploitation Sexual abuse Trafficking

pretest posttest control group design Child Abuse, Sexual videorecording quantitative study human Internet United States Humans Adolescent male female pilot study sexual exploitation prostitution prevention and control standards human trafficking child sexual abuse Guidelines as Topic child advocacy exposure to violence practice guideline Pilot Projects Child