Spotting Online Grooming or Sexual Bullying

How to Spot Online Grooming

home▸Grooming or Sexual Bullying

Online grooming of children by predatory adults is a genuine concern for parents. Sexual bullying of children by their peers is also a serious problem.

Online Indicators

Below is a list of online terms that could be a sign of grooming or bullying.

Physical Signs

Of course, as well as indicators in messaging apps or chat forums, there may be physical signs too. Here is an extract from the NSPCC: Some of the signs you might see include:

being secretive about how they're spending their time, including when online
having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can't or won't explain
drinking underage taking drugs
spending more or less time online or on their devices
being upset, withdrawn, or distressed
displaying sexualised behaviour, language or an understanding of sex that's not appropriate for their age
spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

List of Online Indicators

Terms That Suggest Inappropriate Activity

It is worth learning the following common slang terms as they suggest your child:

Is part of a conversation of a sexual nature.
Is being groomed for a meeting.
Is hiding inappropriate activity from parents.

BANGTIDY

(Sexy or Good Looking)

C2C

(Camera to Camera (webcams))

DLS

(Dirty Little Secret)

DMTA

(Dirty Minds Think Alike)

ERP

(Erotic Role Play)

FIRM

(Attractive/Fit Body)

(For Your Eyes Only)

(Hook Up Make Out)

(Turned On)

(If I Tell You Will You Kiss Me?)

IKWYL

(I Know Where You Live)

INY

(I Need You)

IWY

(I Want You)

KPC

(Keep Parents Clueless)

LFTSU

(Looking Forward to Seeing You)

LGFB

(Looks Good from Behind)

LMIRL

(Let's Meet Up In Real Life)

M33T

(Meet)

MMAMP

(Meet Me At My Place)

MIRL

(Meet Up In Real Life)

NCMO

(Non-Committal Make Out)

NBG

(Nasty But Good)

PC4PC

(Picture Comment for Picture Comment)

(Picture for Proof)

(Return the Favour)

(Are You Alone?)

(Where No One Has Gone Before)

YBW

(You've Been Warned)

Warnings of Inappropriate Activity

It is also worth being familiar with the terms below as they might offer a warning that your child is involved in an inappropriate conversation, which could lead to more serious activity.

AITR

(Adult In The Room)