A study recently released study shows that teen girls who would depict themselves online in a provocative way, and teen girls with a history of child abuse, are more likely to receive online sexual advances and then meet those individuals offline.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center studied girls between the ages of 14 and 17. Each was asked to create an avatar -- an electronic image to represent herself -- and complete a questionnaire regarding her computer and Internet usage, sexual attitudes and other factors.

Forty percent of all 173 teen girls in the study reported experiencing online sexual advances, and 26 percent reported meeting someone in person whom they first met online. Those who had depicted themselves as provocative in terms of body and clothing choices were more likely to have had online sexual advances.

Other risk factors for online sexual advances included being a victim of abuse and being preoccupied with sex and sexual thoughts. The researchers encourage parents to know how their daughters are presenting themselves online.