Grooming and Sexting: Differences, Risks and Prevention to Protect Children

In the digital era in which we live, it is essential to understand and be aware of the dangers that exist online, especially for our children. Two terms that have gained prominence in recent years are "Grooming" and "Sexting". Although they are related to online interaction, it is important to understand their differences and the risks associated with each.

What is Grooming?

Grooming is a form of online sexual harassment in which an adult poses as a child or adolescent with the goal of establishing a trusting relationship and manipulating a child or adolescent. The aggressor seeks to gain friendship and trust, with the ultimate goal of obtaining images or videos of sexual content or even physically meeting the victim.

What is the difference between Grooming and Sexting?

Sexting, on the other hand, is the act of sending, receiving or sharing sexually explicit content through electronic devices, such as text messages, images or videos. Unlike Grooming, Sexting involves the voluntary participation of the participants, who can be both minors and adults. However, Sexting can lead to Grooming situations if the images or videos shared fall into the wrong hands.

Risks faced by a child victim of Grooming

Children who become victims of Grooming face various risks, both emotionally and physically. These risks include sexual abuse, blackmail, identity theft and exposure to inappropriate content. In addition, the psychological impact can be significant and long-lasting, generating feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety and depression in victims.

What can be done to prevent Grooming?

Prevention is key to protecting our children. Some steps we can take include:

Establishing open and honest communication with our children about safe internet use and the dangers they may face.

Teach them to protect their personal information and to be cautious when interacting with strangers online.

Monitor and limit the time they spend on the internet, as well as the websites and applications they use.

Teach them to recognize warning signs and to trust their instincts if they sense something is not right.

What to do when an attempt of Grooming is detected?

If we suspect that a child is being groomed, it is important to act immediately. Some actions we can take include:

Do not directly confront the aggressor, as this may jeopardize the child's safety.

Collect as much evidence as possible, such as screenshots or conversations, and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Provide emotional support to the child, reassuring them that they are not to blame and that we are there to protect them.

Seek professional help, such as psychological therapy, to help the child overcome the trauma and recover emotionally.

How has this crime evolved in Chile?

In Chile, Grooming has been considered a crime since 2011, with the enactment of Law No. 20.536. This law establishes penalties for those who commit acts of Grooming, as well as the obligation of internet service providers to collaborate with the investigation of these crimes. However, despite legal efforts, Grooming continues to be a growing problem in the country, as aggressors adapt to new technologies and strategies to contact their victims.

In conclusion, it is essential that as a society we are informed about the risks of Grooming and Sexting, and that we take measures to protect our children. Education, open communication and supervision are key tools to prevent these crimes and ensure the safety and well-being of our children in the digital world.