"Hey, wanna chat?" What seems like a casual and innocent phrase between adults can take a sinister turn when it comes from an adult to a child online, potentially marking the beginning of a predatory relationship. Grooming, where an adult uses psychological tactics to gain a child's trust in order to manipulate, exploit, or abuse them, is a pervasive problem today. It often occurs online, where predators may use social media, gaming platforms, or messaging apps to contact minors.
In this episode of Unlocked 403, Becks sits down with child psychologist Kamila Ryšánková to discuss:
- The complex dangers of grooming
- Whether boys or girls are more often victimized by predators
- Why grooming is an underreported crime
- How grooming can be prevented and what parents can do to keep their kids safe online
