Signs of online exploitation every parent needs to know

Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting young people online. Read on to learn the early warning signs of online sexual exploitation and abuse.

In one of ChildFund’s online safety workshops in India, a group of children gathered to share their positive and negative digital experiences. One child shared about an uncomfortable encounter with someone she had met online: “In my phone, he said we were just friends … but I didn’t know what to do when he started asking for pictures.”

The fear and confusion of that experience are all too common among children today. In our digital-first world, kids are growing up with smartphones, social media, online gaming and video streaming. And while the internet offers endless opportunities for growth and learning, it also opens the door to an insidious threat: online sexual exploitation and abuse.

According to new research from More in Common, parents are extremely worried about these dangers – more worried than they are, in fact, about issues like road safety and even mental health – but they often feel powerless to address them. That’s because online exploitation can often begin so quietly. Perpetrators may disguise themselves as friends, fellow gamers, influencers or even trusted adults, grooming children by showing them special attention, using flattery and manipulation, and sometimes by offering gifts or money.

Children might not realize they’re being exploited until they feel trapped or threatened. And parents might be completely unaware of the danger – even as their children sit within arm’s reach in the same room. That’s why recognizing the early warning signs of online exploitation is key.

Where these threats are hiding

Perpetrators are increasingly targeting children on the very platforms they are most likely to enjoy: 

• Social Media Apps: Direct messaging features can be exploited for inappropriate contact.
• Gaming Platforms: Online games often include live chats where strangers can groom children.
• Encrypted Messaging Apps: These allow private, hidden conversations.
• Streaming Apps: Some adults pose as fans or mentors to exploit children.

Behavioral red flags you should never ignore

Children being groomed or exploited online often show behavioral changes. Be alert if you notice:

• Sudden secrecy or hiding their screen
• Withdrawing from family or friends
• Unusual gifts or cash
• Mood swings, fearfulness, anxiety
• Inappropriate sexual language or knowledge
• Falling grades or loss of interest in hobbies
• Late-night screen time with unknown apps
• Deleting chat histories or using “vault” apps
• Anxiety after being online
• Frequent messages from an unknown number
• Mention of someone asking for secrecy

How adults can help protect children online

1. Talk Early and Often

Use age-appropriate language to talk to children about their safety online. You can even take advantage of free resources like Into the Cloud, an interactive adventure from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that teaches kids 11 and under about digital safety basics.

Here are just a few key points to drive home with your kids:

• “No one should ever ask you for pictures.”
• “Don’t keep secrets that make you uncomfortable.”
• “You can always come to me. You won’t be in trouble.”

2. Get Involved Without Invading Privacy

• Keep devices in shared family areas.
• Use parental controls where possible.
• Ask questions like:
• “Who did you chat with today?”
• “What’s your favorite thing to watch or play online right now?”
• Make digital rules with your children — not for them.

What ChildFund is Doing

Every child needs a safe environment to learn, grow and thrive, and today, that extends to the digital world too. That’s why at ChildFund, we:

• Conduct digital safety workshops for children globally.
• Educate parents, teachers and communities through awareness raising programs.
• Advocate at the local, national and global level for stronger online safety laws. After all, parents aren’t the only ones who need to protect kids online: That job belongs to all of us — tech companies, governments and communities alike.

Online sexual exploitation is a horrific, growing threat to children around the globe. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to help protect your child. You just need to stay engaged, notice the signs and act early.

Learn more and get involved in our efforts to protect children online.