Building Trust: Predators often start by building a trusting relationship with their target. They may pretend to be a peer or someone who shares the same interests.
Emotional Manipulation: Predators might offer compliments, gifts, or show empathy to make the child feel special and understood.
Isolation: They may try to isolate the child from friends and family, encouraging secrecy about their relationship.
Predators use flattery and gifts as a way to gain the trust and affection of the child. These gifts could be anything from virtual gifts (like game currency) to physical items sent in the mail.
Normalization of Inappropriate Behavior: Predators may gradually introduce sexual content or conversations, making it seem normal. They might ask the child to engage in seemingly innocent activities that escalate over time.
Exposure to Explicit Material: Some predators might send explicit images or videos to desensitize the child and normalize the behavior.
False Identities: Predators often create fake profiles, pretending to be someone much younger or a person of the same age and gender as the child.
Lying About Intentions: They might deceive the child about their intentions, often pretending to be interested in a romantic or friendly relationship.
Blackmail: After gaining compromising material, such as explicit photos, predators may threaten to share these with the child’s family, friends, or public unless more material is provided.
Fear Tactics: Predators may use threats to scare the child into complying with their demands.
Playing on Emotions: Predators often manipulate the child’s emotions, making them feel guilty, scared, or dependent on the predator.
Promises and Threats: They might make promises of love, friendship, or rewards, or they may threaten harm to the child or their loved ones if they do not comply.
Shifting Platforms: Once initial contact is made on a public platform, predators often try to move the conversation to a private platform where they can communicate more freely without being monitored.
Our Kids Center
https://ourkidscenter.com/learn/
online-predators/
Bark.us
https://www.bark.us/blog/protect-
child-online-predators/
National Center for Health Research
https://www.center4research.org/
online-predators-know-can/