Grooming and Online Predators
Grooming is a tactic used by abusers to gain a child's trust before exploiting them. It often starts with small, seemingly harmless gestures, special attention, gifts, or favours before escalating. While grooming can happen in person, online grooming has become an increasing threat through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps.
What is Grooming?
Groomers manipulate children by building trust, isolating them, and normalising inappropriate behaviour. Online, predators may pose as someone their age, gradually introducing private conversations and requests.
Children who are being groomed may:
Become secretive about online activity
Receive unexplained gifts or money
Spend excessive time online, especially at night
Withdraw from family and friends
Display anxiety, mood swings, or unusual behaviour
With children spending more time online, predators now have more ways to connect with them. Online grooming can occur on:
How to Protect Your Child
Encourage open communication so your child feels safe discussing anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Teach online safety, no private messaging with strangers, no sharing personal details or images.
Set digital boundaries like privacy settings and parental controls to limit exposure to potential predators.
Monitor behaviour changes and check in regularly about their online interactions.
What to Do If You Suspect Grooming
Stay calm and reassure your child they are not at fault.
Gather evidence, including messages or online interactions.
Report concerns to authorities or child protection organisations.
Seek professional support if needed.
Protecting children from grooming requires education, open dialogue, and vigilance, both online and in the real world. By teaching them to recognise red flags and giving them the confidence to speak up, we empower them to stay safe.
