If you’ve stumbled across this post because you’ve been asking yourself ‘Is my child being groomed?’ then hopefully by the end of this article you’ll be more certain of your suspicions and know what to do next.
Grooming is an often hidden danger that parents aren’t always aware of, or don’t believe it’ll ever happen to their child.
But with online grooming crimes having grown by 89% in the last 6 years, it’s something that all parents need to know about.
In this post, we’ll cover how groomers operate, the key warning signs to look for, and the steps you can take to protect your child from both online and offline grooming.
How Groomers Target Children
Groomers use a variety of methods to gain access to the children they are looking to victimise.
Although there’s a lot of emphasis and media attention around online grooming, groomers do not work exclusively online. Some prefer to groom offline, whilst others might have a hybrid approach of grooming on and offline.
Common ways groomers target children include:
- Using social media
- Gaming platforms
- Chat apps/chat rooms/chat forums
- Volunteering at youth clubs and groups where child frequently go
Groomers will often use methods of flattery, gift-giving, encouraging secrecy from the child’s family to groom their victim.
Signs That Your Child Might Be a Victim of Grooming
The signs of grooming can be incredibly subtle and might not be at all obvious at first. Some signs of grooming can appear very personal to a particular child, such as knowing a lot about a specific interest of your child. Often, signs of grooming can only be seen in hindsight.
If you don’t immediately spot the signs of grooming, this does not mean that you are a ‘bad parent,’ or ‘inattentive’ to your child. Groomers are calculated and know exactly how to act and what to say to avoid raising suspicions.
That being said, there are some generic signs of grooming that you might spot:
- Being secretive about online activity or hiding their phone
- Quickly switching screens when on a device
- Deleting messages from certain people
- Having sudden mood swings, withdrawal, or secrecy
- Receiving unexplained gifts or money
- Talking about a new ‘friend’ they won’t share details about
- Being defensive or angry when questioned about online interactions or certain friendships
What to Do If You Think Your Child is Being Groomed
- Stay calm
- Avoid accusations
- Remind the child that you’re on their side
- Listen to what they have to say
- Report your concerns to CEOP, the NSPCC, or the local police
Legally, anyone under the age of 18 years old is a child. Organisations such as the Police and NSPCC are well equipped and trained to work with children of all ages who are being groomed.
How to Protect Your Child from Grooming
I’ll admit, it’s impossible to monitor every online interaction that your child has. But there are some ways to protect your child from being groomed. These may include:
- Teaching them about online safety
- Discussing the dangers of sharing personal information, especially with strangers, online
- Setting and regularly reviewing parental controls on devices and games
- Supervising children when online
- Not allowing children to be online when they are alone, i.e. in their bedroom
- Encourage open communication about online interactions
- Let the child know that they won’t be in trouble if something bad happens online
- Make it clear that they will never be blamed if someone else makes them feel uncomfortable online
Final Thoughts
Grooming is a serious issue, but by staying informed and maintaining open communication with your child, you can help to keep them safe. If you suspect grooming, don’t hesitate to contact the police or the NSPCC.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with other parents to spread awareness.
