Academic research was done by Emily Chiang and Tim Grant exploring the online grooming moves and strategies. In their research, Chiang and Grant share a study by psychologist O'Connell who recorded and examined over fifty hours of chatroom interactions between herself and child groomers. In her research, O'Connell introduced a six stages online grooming model. The six stages are called friendship forming, relationship forming, risk assessment, exclusivity, sexual, and fantasy enactment. According to O'Connell the first stage is friendship forming in which the predator is inquired about the child's data, knowledge about their other social networks, asks for non-sexual photos, and overall tries to cultivate a relationship with the child. The next stage follows when the predator attempts to extend the stage of friendship. This includes finding out about their home, school life, interest, and activities of the child, in other words creating an illusion of being the child's best friend. Followed by the Risk assessment stage when the offender gathers information about the child's surroundings, computer information, and potential surveillance of household internet usage. Continuing with the exclusivity stage when the abuser seeks to create reciprocal trust and dependence as well as mutual trust is established. The fourth stage is sexual. The abuser is incorporating sexual language and subjects and is altering sexual language in a manner that better facilitates the ongoing participation of the child. The last stage is fantasy enactment during which the abuser uses manipulation to involve the child in online or offline sexual practices (Chiang and Grant, 2017). In the rest of the research Chiang and Grant explore more moves and strategies of online grooming.
Information retrieved from:
Chiang, E., & Grant, T. (2017). Online grooming: Moves and strategies. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://ojs.letras.up.pt/ojs/index.php/LLLD/article/view/2411/2614
Hi, I find this topic very important as children are often innocent, not that experienced and not fully developed. Having the access to the internet and social media from a young age can definitely increase the risk of being approached by these "predators". In my opinion, parents should control their kid's social media devices to a certain age or limit the content they see online because this is a very serious issue that can cause trauma and put the child in danger. People and especially parents should definitely educate themselves more about it.
I enjoyed reading your post! :)