Signs Of Online Grooming

Signs of online grooming

1) adults should not talk to you (a minor) about sex. In any way. They shouldn’t be telling you details about their sexual abuse or sex life. They shouldn’t ask you questions about your sex life or sexual habits. They shouldn’t try to convince you to do sexual acts. They shouldn’t ask for nudes. They shouldn’t send nudes. They shouldn’t send you porn or nsfw materials. They shouldn’t be talking about this stuff in front of you.

This includes fandom stuff and drawings. This includes nsfw fanfiction or audios. This includes role playing.

One of the most overlooked forms of online grooming is exposure to nsfw fandom content or coercion, or requests of nsfw role plays, drawings, ect. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction. Adults should not expose you to sexual content.

2) they offer to buy you stuff or meet up.

3) they make you feel special. They may compliment you, draw you stuff, give you shout outs, participate in activities you like, ect.

4) they ask you personal questions. Do you get along with your family? Do you have any friends? Where do you live? What do you look like?

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5) they talk to you about personal issues or financial issues. They basically treat you like a therapist. OR they repeatedly ask you to confide in them. They may threaten suicide or self harm as well.

6) they compliment you in inappropriate ways. Saying you’re “hot” or “sexy.”

Notes:

•if you are an older teen, the predator might use excuses such as “you’re old enough”, or “you’re legal”, ect for their behaviors. Don’t listen to them. A teenager is still a minor and in the eyes of regular adults, they are still children.

•anyone can be a predator and anyone can be a victim.

•minors who are closed lgbt teens, abuse victims, or have mental illnesses tend to be more vulnerable to grooming.

For anyone who was groomed online, it is not your fault. You are not dumb. You’re not to blame at all. Groomers are incredibly manipulative and good at what they do.

Your trauma is valid. It happening online doesn’t mean it’s less harmful to you.