Better Digital Parenting 2024 CyberSafeKids - Manual / Resource - Page 17
B e tte r D i g i t al Paren ting
C y b e r Sa fe K i d s
Going Deeper:
Grooming
The online world can be an easy place for groomers to
contact children and young people to develop inappropriate
relationships with them. The ease of taking and sending
images and videos means that a lot of child sexual abuse
material (CSAM) is generated through these kinds of
channels. Telling signs this may be happening include:
Listen
to Orla’s
Story
here:
› Wanting or asking to spend more time on the internet.
› Being secretive about the sites they visit or who they are
talking to online.
› Switching screens when you come near them when they
are on their laptop, tablet or phone.
› Possessing new items you haven’t given them, especially
electronic devices.
› Sexual language/imagery you don’t expect them to
know or that is not age-appropriate.
› Emotions that become more volatile, unexplained distress.
If you suspect a child is
being groomed:
› Stay calm, respond positively, reassure them.
› Encourage them to talk openly.
› Advise that they don’t respond to or delete messages.
› Use privacy settings, online blocking
& reporting mechanisms.
› Talk to the Gardai if involving serious harassment,
threat of harm or indecent images or videos.
› Use expert helplines such as Childline.
› Visit www.hotline.ie for more information.
17
