Grooming via Online Video Games
Grooming often occurs when your children are engaged in playing online games, regardless of age. A predator or trafficker typically engages children through online chats. They will usually befriend your child by posing as a peer to engage in online gaming.
“You won Mi Amigo!”
“Abuelo! Andy just won the championship! I wasn’t even going easy on him, but another racer is chatting to him and he doesn’t talk like a kid.”
Then, they engage in what seems to be playful and sometimes meaningful conversations with your child, to gain their trust, via side chats that are accessible to all present players. In some cases, the predator or trafficker will ask your child to meet them somewhere after school, or during recess or lunch, then abduct them.
“That’s because he’s not a kid he’s a child sex trafficker grooming kids.”
“But…he’s still surrounded by family! Ugh. Right in our own living room.”
