GroomingIs “Grooming” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
Grooming
Risk flagA pattern of behavior by an adult to build trust and emotional dependency with a child, with the goal of sexual exploitation. Groomers gradually normalize boundary violations over time.
How kids use it
Grooming happens primarily online now. Signs include: an older person showing excessive interest in your child, giving gifts or money, trying to keep the relationship secret, asking for photos, or encouraging your child to keep things from parents. This is the primary threat parents should be educating about.
Yes — take "Grooming" 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 →