Grooming
Predators take advantage of children’s natural vulnerabilities, such as their desire to appear adult or their need for attention. “Grooming” is the process through which predators play on these vulnerabilities by offering children gifts and attention.
It does not happen overnight. Grooming can be a long process that a patient, tenacious predator has planned and perfected to gain a child’s trust. This grooming may lead to the child’s willingness to meet the person with whom he or she is chatting. Offenders will often entice a child into a face-to-face meeting by
- Exploiting a child’s natural curiosity about sex
- Lowering the child’s inhibitions by gradually introducing explicit images and child sex abuse images
- Using his or her adult status to influence and control a child’s behavior
- Offering attention and affection
- Betraying a child’s trust by manipulating his or her emotions and insecurities
Guarding Against Predators Children who experience online victimization may not share personal details with their parent or guardian right away, but there are warning signs that can help identify a child who has faced a situation of online victimization. Parents and guardians should keep in mind that not all children are being groomed by older predators; children may have sexual encounters with peers and older teens. However, any adult seeking a sexual encounter with a minor is considered a predator. If a child comes to you with a disclosure of exploitation, reassure him or her that talking to an adult is the right action to take and divert any blame away from the victim.
Warning Signs of Grooming or Exploitation in your Child - Spends an excessive amount of time on the computer
- Becomes angry when he or she cannot get on the computer
- Withdraws from family and friends
- Minimizes the screen or turns off the monitor when you come into the room
- Inappropriate images or websites on the computer
- Strange phone numbers on your telephone bill
- Gifts in the mail from someone you don’t know, such as webcams or cell phones