Spot The Signs Of Online Child Exploitation
Having done their research on the child or young person they wish to target, the online predator will then reach out with a ‘friend’ request to the target via social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and the like). The online predator will typically create a fake persona with fake pictures to match that of the target (i.e. 15 year old boy who loves to skateboard, loves a particular type of music and has a favorite band). The research already done by the online predator will inform the choice of the persona that he/she choses to adopt. This will increase the chances of the child or young person accepting the ‘friend’ request.
Most children and young persons have social media ‘public’ profiles and they have a tendency to share lots of information about themselves, the things they do and the things they like. This is exactly the type of information that online predators need to create their personas.
Once the ‘friend’ request is accepted, the online predator will slowly and meticulously build the friendship with their target(s) until they are one of their most trusted friends and confidants. All the while, the child or young person is likely never to have met the person behind the fake persona. The online predator will then seek to lure the child or young person into sharing increasingly revealing images, which will start out as friendly but often typically moves to the online predator using the images to bully and demand more from the child or young person.
What Are The Signs To Look Out For ?
Here is some guidance on what signs to look out for as parents and carers. However this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of signs, and as such, parents and carers are best placed to use their instinct and judgment on such matters.
- You should look out for your child or young person spending an increasing number of hours online or spending the early hours of the morning, chatting with any person(s) unknown to you and your child, or chatting to known persons in circumstances that make it inappropriate;
- You should look out for behavioral change in your child or young person; them becoming withdrawn or being less confident or not speaking to their usual friends;
- You should look out for your child or young person seeming to be under pressure to get online when it is not so convenient to do so, say when you are out as a family;
- You should look out for your child or young person appearing quite upset or having a noticeable change in their mood, and this being associated with their use of their computer or mobile phone, with no other reasonable explanation for that being the case.
What Should You Do ?
You should always promote dialogue with your child or young person on the dangers of online grooming and encourage them to have healthy online habits. You must always avoid blaming the child or young person.
If you have reasons to believe that the child or young person is being subjected to online grooming, you must always report it.
Report to MASH@DCFS.gov.ky or Tel: 945-0545 or the RCIPS, call 911. All communication will be kept confidential and you will be offered support.
