Teen ONLINE SAFETY

HOW TO HELP YOUR TEENAGER NAVIGATE THE RISKS OF ONLINE PREDATORS

- Sharon Hunt

The internet has allowed us to connect with other people at the touch of a button. But the sad reality is that it’s also made us more vulnerable to sexually predatory online behaviour – with teenagers most at risk.

A recent report by UK publication Closer noted that there’s been a sharp rise in internet grooming activity in the past few months as children spent increased amounts of time online while self-isolating.

“During lockdown, the number of messages and level of explicitness – from lewd comments and suggestions to unsolicited sexual pictures – has increased,” noted UK child abuse investigator Samira*.

With most kids regularly having unfettered access to a smartphone or laptop, it’s never been more important for parents to be acutely aware of the potential dangers of their children receiving unwanted online communication.