GroomingIs “Catfishing” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
Catfishing
Risk flagCreating a fake online identity to deceive someone, usually for romantic purposes. A catfish pretends to be someone they're not — using fake photos, a fake name, and a fabricated life.
How kids use it
Teens can be both victims and perpetrators of catfishing. Risk is significant: predators use catfishing to build trust with minors before attempting to meet in person or obtain explicit content.
Yes — take "Catfishing" seriously. Terms in this category show up in contact between kids and people trying to exploit them. Seeing it in your kid's messages doesn't prove the worst, but it warrants a calm look at who they're talking to.
- Don’t confront in anger — ask who they’re talking to online, and look together.
- If an unknown adult is involved: screenshot everything, block, and report it to the platform — and to the NCMEC CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org) if anything sexual was requested or sent.
- Run a 30-second check on the apps involved Is it safe? checker →