Examples of Online Sexual Abuse
Grooming, when a perpetrator seeks to gain a child's trust online through compliments, conversation, gifts, or false pretenses Once a perpetrator has groomed a child, they will switch to soliciting sexual favors or trying to meet up with the child in-person
Sextortion occurs when a perpetrator solicits sexual photos or videos from a minor child, or requests that they perform sexual acts via webcam. Soliciting a minor for sexual favors, or sharing sexual images/videos of a minor, is illegal
Teaching Children Online Safety
Discuss the risks of sharing private or inappropriate images with others, particularly as a minor It's important that you approach this topic understandingly and without judgement so that you don't cause feelings of shame or guilt.
Chat about the importance of privacy and not sharing personal details (address, phone number, school name, etc.) with strangers, particularly adults who they have not met.
Maintain open and honest communication with your child about online safety, and make sure they know that they can come to you if they have been threatened, harassed, or abused online.
Go through examples of how to respond if someone is soliciting inappropriate images/videos, asking for personal information, or threatening to harm your child online
Red Flag Behaviors from Online Predators
Make sure you and your child are aware of different red flag behaviors that someone online is predatory and seeking to take advantage
Making sexual or suggestive comments, or asking a child about their sexual history (whether they are a virgin, if they have ever been kissed, etc )
Telling a child to keep the relationship/conversation a secret or refusing to talk to a child while their parents are home
Asking a child to send them photos or videos of themselves
Asking a child for personal details such as their full name, where they live, where they go to school, etc
If your child expresses to you that they have experienced any of these behaviors from someone online, believe them
While online abuse can happen to anyone regardless of age, children are particularly vulnerable to the tactics of online predators. Preventing child sexual abuse often means utilizing internet safety practices with your little ones.