Key Indicators of Grooming
Secrecy and Isolation
Key Indicators: Hiding screens, deleting messages, lying about activities.
Notes: Groomers encourage children to keep their relationship a secret.
Excessive Internet Use
Key Indicators: Staying online late at night, anxiety when offline.
Notes: May be engaged with an online predator.
Unexplained Gifts or Money
Key Indicators: Receiving expensive items (phones, clothes, cash).
Notes: Groomers use gifts to build trust.
Changes in Mood
Key Indicators: Withdrawn from family, sudden depression or anger.
Notes: Mood swings may indicate grooming pressure.
Sexualized Behavior
Key Indicators: Talking about sex, using explicit language, drawing adult content.
Notes: Indicates exposure to inappropriate material.
Physical Signs of Abuse
Key Indicators: Avoiding touch, hygiene changes, unexplained injuries.
Notes: Signs of escalating physical grooming.
Secret Online Accounts
Key Indicators: Creating extra social media profiles, unknown online “friends.”
Notes: Groomers often use fake profiles to contact victims.
Hiding Screens
Key Indicators: Quickly closing apps when parents enter.
Notes: Attempting to conceal inappropriate conversations.
Explicit Online Messages
Key Indicators: Sexual messages, image requests, pornography on device.
Notes: Clear indicator of grooming or sextortion.
Plans to Meet an Online Contact
Key Indicators: Secretly arranging a meeting, sneaking out.
Notes: 100% of children harmed by online predators went voluntarily.
Phone Calls or Gifts
Key Indicators: Unfamiliar phone numbers, gifts from unknown people.
Notes: Groomers use gifts to maintain contact.