Teens engaging in risky behavior online

(WWLP) - Researchers at the University of Washington found an alarming number of teens are talking about their risky behavior online.

After studying the content of 500 teenage profiles on social networking websites, researchers determined that 24 percent mentioned sexual behavior, 41 percent referenced drugs, and 37 percent reported alcohol use.

Internet security experts say postings about such elicit behavior could attract attention from sexual predators, or even jeopardize future employment.

"You list everything. You can list your location, even your dorm you're at. That just leads to giving away your personal information to people you really don't know," Sarah Hunter of Chicopee said.

Researchers also sent an email to some of the teens warning them their profile contained risky information. Within three months, nearly half had made protective changes to their page.