Introduction

Chatting online is a useful and easy way to keep in touch with your friends. But it’s really important to remember that talking to people you don’t know, or haven’t met in real life, can be dangerous.

What is grooming?

Online grooming is when someone (the groomer) uses the internet to make friends with you and gain your trust. The groomer will then trick or pressure you into doing something bad. The abuse is usually sexual or financial, but it can also include other illegal acts.

Who might be a groomer?

A groomer can be anyone, and they might not be honest about who they really are. For example, an adult could create a fake profile on social media and pretend to be a young person. When people are online, it’s easy for them to hide their true identity.

How do I know if I am talking to a groomer?

If any of the following things are happening, this may be a sign that you are talking to a groomer:

• You do not know or have not met the person you are talking to
• You are being asked to send material of a sexual nature
• You are being asked to keep your conversation a secret
• You are being sent a lot of messages
• You are being made to feel guilty
• You are being asked to meet up in person
• You are being asked very personal information, especially at an early stage in the conversation.

Who can I talk to for help?

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Talk to an adult that you trust such as your parent or a counsellor at school.

You can also talk anonymously to Childline at 0800 1111.

If there is no immediate danger, either you or your parents can report the behaviour to the Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre.