Online Grooming: Protect Your Children

Introductory words

The term online grooming refers to the solicitation of minors on the web. According to the Ministry of Justice, grooming can be defined as follows:

"Online solicitation via chat rooms and social networks in which a cyber predator identifies a young victim, establishes a relationship that is initially friendly, then confidential and intimate, and finally exploits the victim for sexual purposes." 

Unfortunately, with the technological revolution and the spread of smartphones, online grooming has become an increasingly widespread problem. That's why it's important to understand how to protect our children from this danger, for example with monitoring apps such as mSpy.

1 winning solution – mSpy to monitor web activity

We gave our son a new phone. According to studies by the Bicocca University of Milan, minors tend to get their first smartphone between the ages of nine and twelve, with an average age of between 11 (28.7%) and 12 (29.2%).

On the web, minors may be attracted to conversations with unsavory individuals, for example on social networks or other messaging apps. The mSpy app therefore allows us to:

• view all chats taking place on the phone in real time;

• access social networks such as Instagram and Facebook;

• check the GPS location in real time;

• check SMS and other communications.

Many parents wonder if mSpy is legal. The answer depends on how it is used: generally, it is legal if used to monitor the devices of your own minor children or with the consent of the user being monitored. It is therefore a valuable tool for protecting children from this and other dangers on the internet, in compliance with privacy regulations. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about your own privacy, you can also check if any spy app is installed on your phone — staying informed is the first step to staying safe.

How do you install monitoring apps?

Many parents don't use monitoring apps because they're afraid they won't know how. In reality, quality software is very easy to use and accessible to everyone. In general, you need to:

• install the application on the device to be monitored;

• This device will then start sending information directly to the app.

Since the app can be installed on multiple devices, such as a parent's smartphone or computer, all information can be accessed remotely. In an instant, you can ensure that your child can browse the web safely, and you can rest assured that nothing unpleasant will happen.

Signs to look out for

In addition to using apps, parents should always be on the lookout to make sure their children are not being groomed. For example, children may begin to exhibit ambiguous behavior related to anxiety or fear of being discovered.

Signs that indicate an attempt to approach a child for the purpose of abuse include:

1. excessive anxiety in the child;

2. secrecy about online activities;

3. continuous receipt of messages or phone calls.

Often, the dynamics of virtual abuse can weigh heavily on children, who, despite being victims, begin to feel guilty. This is why it is essential to stay close to them and, as a preventive measure, use all available methods to prevent this from happening.

Conclusion