Online Grooming

Recent global events have seen our kids increase their time on screens providing them with entertainment during self isolation and education while they continue their learning.

Social media for teens is like a lifeline outside their home to their friends, allowing them to continue somewhat of a social life.

The increase of using apps and games to connect with others creates the perfect ‘playground’ for online predators.

Facts about Online Predators

Online predators can be found on almost all social media apps and online chat rooms including games where people can connect
Online groomers perform research to determine what apps are most likely going to allow them access to their preferred child/teen type. For instance, if a groomer is interested in young males, you will find them in a gaming environment such as Fortnite
They are tech savvy & teen savvy. Groomers understand the social needs that every child/teen must have (affection, belonging & recognition)
Predators will start things off very nicely, flatter your kids and even go to the extent of buying them gifts.
They make a lot of effort to learn about your children. For example, stalking their Facebook profile (and yours), knowing who their friends are, where they check-in, and what their likes and dislikes are (Source: Common Sense Media)
Groomers are deceptive and often lie about their appearance, gender, age and location. They even create multiple identities to connect with your child in the hope that your child starts to trust one their identities.
Online predators are typically not registered sex offenders because they have not been arrested/convicted for their activities
Once they have gained the trust of your child, they will start asking for inappropriate images which they will later onsend to blackmail them. This is also known as sextortion

Signs that your children are being groomed online.

They become secretive
They become sad and withdrawn but won’t say why
They seem more distracted than usual
They have sudden mood swings
They seem unable to switch off from their phone/device or social media

What to do if you find out that your child is being groomed online or is a victim of image based abuse.

Listen to your child. Make sure that they are feeling safe in their home.

Don’t wrestle their device off them or insist that they will never be able to touch it again. It will be confronting, but you will need to ask them to show you where the abuse has been taking place. Stay Calm and assure them that there are actions that can be taken to remove images and videos and head straight to this page on the eSafety Commissioner Website.

The eSafety Commisioner website has a ‘take action’ list to assist you in the removal of images and videos, reporting the abuse, collecting evidence, getting help from the police etc.