GroomingIs “Sliding into DMs” something to worry about? More Grooming terms
Sliding into DMs
Sending someone a direct message, usually on Instagram or Twitter/X, to initiate a private conversation — often with romantic intent.
How kids use it
Used casually by teens to describe reaching out to someone. The concern is when strangers slide into your child's DMs with unwanted contact. Review who is in your child's message requests.
Yes — take "Sliding into DMs" 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 →