A Chatbot Solution to Chat App Problems : Envisioning a Chatbot Counseling System for Teenage Victims of Online Sexual Exploitation

Abstract

In recent years, online sexual exploitation targeting teenagers has been on the rise. Given teenagers' growing reluctance toward face-to-face communication, using a counseling chatbot could be a more effective way to provide teenage victims with necessary information and emotional support. There is a small number of counseling chatbots for victims of sexual crime, but none targeting teenagers specifically. This research suggests design guidelines for building a counseling chatbot for teenage victims of online sexual exploitation with a focus on establishing rapport by empathizing with their stories and providing them with the proper information. We conducted in-depth interviews with peer counselors at the Teenage Women's Human Rights Center, who have been consulting teenage victims in their age group using online messengers. The four key findings from our research suggested using open-ended questions, using teenager-friendly language, helping teenagers understand that they are victims and offering age-relevant information.