Grooming
With a behavior, grooming describes a predator luring and convincing a person (often a minor) into becoming a victim of a sexual offense. Grooming is usually initiated in Internet chat rooms, or via a messaging service on a social network, or online game, were the predator attempts to befriend their victim. After becoming acquainted and obtaining a sense of comfortability, the groomer will try to move conversations towards having more of a physical relationship or meeting in person.
Always remember that the Internet helps hide a person's true identity. Someone might mislead you with a false age or gender to get you to let down your guard.
How to avoid grooming
Below are some tips on how to detect and avoid grooming. Realize that groomers don't want to be discovered, so it may be difficult to spot them.
- Never meet up with people you've become acquainted with solely online.
- Always trust your gut; if you feel uncomfortable talking with someone online, ban, block, or ghost them.
- Never share any personal information like your age, address, school name, real-life name, pet's names, etc.
- Don't participate in video or voice chat.
- Never accept gifts from someone you've met online.
- Review our page: Protect children from harmful material and people on the Internet.
How can I report groomers
If you or someone you know is a victim of a groomer or other exploitation, it can be reported at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline.