Digital grooming is something that, although often not mentioned enough, is a reality we must understand as parents and caregivers. In short, grooming occurs when an adult pretends to be someone trustworthy online to gain the friendship of a child or adolescent with harmful intentions. Although it often starts innocently, with friendly conversations or virtual gifts, the perpetrator’s intentions can quickly turn dangerous.

This type of abuse is becoming more common in the digital environment and can have serious emotional and psychological consequences if not detected in time. That’s why it’s essential to stay alert to the signs and know how to protect our children (our seeds!) while they navigate the online world.

What is Digital Grooming and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Digital grooming is a form of sexual harassment or abuse that mainly occurs on social media and apps. The perpetrator pretends to be someone else (usually of the same age as the minor) to manipulate them and obtain sexual content, such as images or, in some cases, even a physical meeting.

Although it’s not always easy to detect, digital grooming usually follows a pattern over time. Sometimes it’s hard to know when something is wrong, but understanding the process will help us be better prepared to identify any attempts to manipulate our seeds.

How to Protect Our Children and Adolescents

Protecting our seeds from digital grooming requires accompanying, educating, and building a relationship of trust. Here are some recommendations based on guidelines from the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF):

  • Talk openly about the issue: Establish a sincere and open dialogue about online risks.
  • Supervise their digital activity: Be aware of the apps and social media they use, as well as the people they interact with.
  • Set clear usage rules: Define times and limits for device use and internet access.
  • Encourage trust and communication: At Renfort, we understand that opening an honest dialogue about online risks is essential. Through our “Chao Tabú” campaign, we promote more open conversations on topics often considered uncomfortable but crucial for preventing risky behaviors. This program involves our families, students (Seeds), educators (Growers), and the entire educational community in a joint effort to break the silence and protect our children and adolescents.
  • Educate about emotions and self-esteem: Help them recognize their feelings and strengthen their self-confidence.

Online Safety for Children and Adolescents
Although the internet is a wonderful tool, it also carries risks if not used with guidance. It’s important to teach children from an early age how to protect themselves in the digital world. Key measures include:

  • Use secure passwords: Teach them the importance of keeping their accounts protected.
  • Don’t talk to strangers: Reinforce the idea that they shouldn’t share information with people they don’t know.
  • Don’t share personal photos or private information: Private images or data can be misused.
  • Speak up if something makes them uncomfortable: Make sure they feel comfortable talking to you about any strange or uncomfortable online experiences.

Tips for Families and Caregivers
Prevention starts at home. Families and caregivers are the first line of defense. If they understand what grooming is, how it happens, and how to respond, they can teach their children to prevent risky situations. Here are some tips:

  • Strengthen family communication:Talk about what’s going on in their digital life.
  • Create a “trust route”:Make sure your child knows they can always come to you if something worries them.
  • Look for behavior changes:Changes in a child’s behavior may be signs that something is wrong.

Ask yourself

  • Is my child showing drastic changes in behavior or attitude that could indicate a risky situation online?
  • Is my child becoming more reserved or avoiding talking about what they do on the internet?
  • Has there been any time when they felt uncomfortable or didn’t want to talk about their digital interactions?
  • Am I reviewing their devices and social media to make sure they are not exposed to inappropriate content or unknown individuals?

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Written by: Karen Valeria Villalobos, Grower at Renfort

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