SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

Online predators often build trust by pretending to be peers or using shared interests to connect. Remind your child to never share personal details or photos with people they’ve only met online—and to come to you if something feels off.

TODAY’S TOPIC

Online Predators: How They Operate

When you think about online dangers for kids, online predators are often the most terrifying. But while the risk is real, it’s also preventable—if you know how predators operate.

Unlike the obvious “stranger danger” scenarios of past generations, today’s predators use subtle, calculated methods. They don’t jump out of the shadows; they slide into a child’s DMs. They build trust, pretend to be peers, or offer emotional support—all behind a fake screen name or profile photo.

This process is called grooming, and it happens more often than many parents realize. According to the FBI, hundreds of thousands of predators are online at any given moment.

Grooming often begins in seemingly harmless places: social media, online games, or even educational platforms. Predators may comment on posts, ask for help with a game, or send a friendly message. Over time, they use flattery, attention, or gifts to build emotional dependence and gradually break down boundaries.

They also exploit gaps in supervision. Kids may use unsupervised devices at night or create secret accounts to avoid parental oversight. Once trust is gained, predators escalate conversations toward inappropriate content, photos, or in-person meetings.

Some grooming happens very quickly. Other times, it plays out over weeks or months. And because predators often make kids feel like they’re in a “relationship,” victims don’t always recognize they’re being manipulated.

This is why it’s so important for parents to understand not just what predators do—but how they do it.

_{WHAT CAN YOU DO?}

The best protection starts with communication and awareness. Here’s how you can help keep your child safe:

1. Know What Apps Your Child Uses

Many predators target kids on lesser-known platforms like Discord, Kik, or anonymous chat apps—not just the big names like Instagram or Snapchat. Review which apps are on your child’s device and check app store reviews to see if they’re flagged for risky behavior.

2. Talk About Online Friendships

Ask your child about who they talk to online. Encourage them to think critically: “Would I still trust this person if I didn’t know what they looked like?” or “Would I say this out loud in a room full of people?” Normalize checking in about online relationships just like you would offline ones.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

Create household rules about online interactions, such as not sharing personal info, not chatting with strangers, and never sending photos—especially not ones they wouldn’t want a parent or teacher to see. Make it a rule that any new app or game must be approved together.

4. Use Parental Controls and Monitoring Tools

Technology can help fill in the supervision gaps. Use parental control apps to monitor activity and flag concerning language, conversations, or behavior patterns. This is especially helpful at night when kids are most likely to be online unsupervised.

5. Teach Them to Trust Their Gut

Predators often use emotional manipulation. Empower your child to walk away from any interaction that feels weird, pressured, or uncomfortable—even if the other person seems “nice.” Let them know it’s always okay to come to you, no matter what.

Tools:

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

  Offers a 24/7 CyberTipline for reporting online exploitation.

• NetSmartz (NCMEC Resource)

  Free age-appropriate videos and materials about online safety.

• Thorn's "NoFiltr" Campaign

  Helps teens recognize digital risks through peer-oriented content.

▶ Slang Word of the Week:  “Ate” - When someone did a fantastic job at something. As a notch up from ate, they “ate and left no crumbs.”