67: Online grooming and sextortion: protecting our teens and tweens.

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The pandemic saw thousands of children moving online to learn, socialise, and play. Unfortunately, internet predators have followed them there, using highly sophisticated tactics to reach children and coerce them into sexual activities.

We were recently contacted by our listener therapist, Frances, who says that she's been dealing with cases of grooming online and thinks it's vital that we discuss the topic.

She's right to highlight it. I've been contacted by parents who have confided in me that their teen has fallen victim; both boys and girls. 

The disturbing nature of their activity has been exposed by Internet Watch Foundation analysts whose job it is to track down and view some of the very worst child sexual abuse material on the internet so it can be removed and blocked. They've seen a massive increase in abuse since lockdown.  

The one thing I've learned from all of the research I've been doing is that we are pretty much the only gatekeepers online; the apps constantly duck responsibility. The key watershed is 13, because the internet companies aren't allowed to collect data on people below that age. But that's still incredibly young for most kids to be accessing the sort of things that are online, and often they lie about their age to get apps they aren't legally allowed. 

We cover how to keep our teens safe, how to spot grooming, and what to do if your kid's a victim.

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/you-co/types-crime/sex-crimes/grooming/#:~:text=It's%20important%20to%20think%20carefully,that%20you%20can%20get%20help.

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/should-i-make-a-report-to-ceop-yp/

The story of Breck, who was lured to his death by a groomer https://www.breckfoundation.org/

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/03/14/us/north-carolina-missing-teen-dallas-found/
Documentary series: Undercover Underage

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2023/2023-08-14-82-rise-in-online-grooming-crimes-against-children-in-the-last-5-years/#

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