Online Grooming
We must raise the risk profile of our children so they can identify a red flag scenario. Here are examples below.
The dangers of video games and Metaverse.
Parental technology monitoring and advice.
They manipulate your emotions.
Predators are intently looking for kids who express any type of emotional distress. When they see kids posting about having a bad day, hating their parents, or experiencing a break-up, that’s when they sweep in with empathy and understanding.
“Oh, my parents are the worst, too. What happened?”
They are overly nice.
Some of the most dangerous people online are also some of the nicest people online. When someone you don’t know is overly nice to you. For example:
“You’re very pretty. Has anyone ever told you that before?”
They Ask Questions.
Dangerous people want to know things about you so that you will begin to trust them.
“What things do you like? Do your parents ever make you mad?”
They Like to Chat on Different Apps.
They might invite you to use a different, more secret platform such as Snapchat or WhatsApp.
“What’s your Snap name? Can we talk more over there?”
They Might Seem Upset if You Don’t Want to Talk to Them.
They make you feel like you’re being mean if you don’t respond.
“Hey, why won’t you respond? Don’t be mean to me like this.”
They Like to Tell Secrets.
They might ask you to keep something they say a secret.
“Just keep this between us.”
They Give Gifts.
They offer you gifts for no reason.
“Do you have a Venmo account? I want to send you some money as an early Christmas present.”
They Might Ask You to Do Something Uncomfortable.
They might threaten you so that I’ll do something you don’t want to do.
“Send me a picture or I’ll tell your parents something bad about you.”