What is cybergrooming: the National Police warned about the danger

Cybergrooming – This is a new challenge of the digital era, which poses a serious danger to children.

Details

The National Police of Ukraine calls on parents to be vigilant and explains how to protect children from manipulation on the Internet.

This term means the establishment of trusting relationships between adults and minors via the Internet.

The purpose of such interactions is further blackmail, intimidation, intimate contact or even sexual violence.

Cybergrooming is particularly dangerous because attackers operate almost imperceptibly, first building trust and then – putting pressure on the child.

The behavior of criminals is often based on several typical actions:

• Establishing contact through popular social networks, online games or messengers.
• Sending gifts, compliments or money to arouse sympathy.
• Constant communication, during which the child is made to feel that they are understood better than others.
• Gradual requests for personal information, photos or videos of intimate character.

The National Police advises parents to act proactively:

• Teach children never to disclose their address, phone number, or other private information on social media.
• Encourage them to regularly review their subscriber list and delete suspicious accounts.
• Access to social media pages should be limited only to friends or trusted contacts.
• This protection method will add an additional layer of security. Use strong, complex passwords that are not easily cracked.

Children should be aware that attackers may impersonate peers or trusted adults. Teach them to recognize such manipulations.

If you suspect that your child has become a victim of cybergrooming, contact the cyber police immediately. Save all possible evidence: messages, photos, videos to help the investigation.