Name: _________________________________________ Date: _________________
📖 What is Online Grooming?
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship with you online to gain your trust, so they can manipulate or exploit you. Groomers are often adults who pretend to be younger.
🚩 Warning Signs - Someone Might Be Grooming You If They:
- Ask lots of personal questions about your life
- Want to keep your friendship secret from your parents
- Make you feel special and say things like "you're so mature"
- Send you gifts, money, or game credits
- Ask for photos or videos of you
- Talk about sexual things
- Want to move to private/secret messaging
- Try to turn you against your family or friends
- Make you feel like you owe them something
🛡️ How to Stay Safe
- Never share personal info (school, address, phone number)
- Be skeptical - people may not be who they say they are
- Keep it public - avoid private messaging with strangers
- Never send photos or videos of yourself
- Trust your gut - if something feels wrong, it probably is
- Tell someone - you won't get in trouble for reporting
✏️ Activity: Red Flags
Scenario: Someone you met in an online game has been really friendly for a few weeks. They've given you free game items. Now they're asking for your Instagram and want to video call "just us" without telling your parents. They say you're "different from other kids your age."
What red flags can you spot?
What should you do?
💡 Remember
- It's NEVER your fault if someone grooms you
- You won't get in trouble for telling an adult
- It's okay to block people and stop talking to them
- Groomers are experts at manipulation - anyone can be targeted
🆘 Get Help
CEOP: ceop.police.uk/report (report abuse)
Childline: 0800 1111
School: Tell a trusted teacher