GroomingIs “MAP” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
MAP
Risk flag'Minor-attracted person' — a euphemism used by people attempting to rebrand pedophilia as an identity, sometimes with flags and 'pride' framing in online spaces. If you see this acronym in someone's bio in your kid's online circles, treat it as the red flag it is: block and report.
How kids use it
Bios and usernames on X, Discord, and fandom platforms.
Yes — take "MAP" 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 →