In our increasingly connected world, the line between our physical and digital lives has all but disappeared. For young people, the internet is not just a tool; it is a space for community, identity, learning, and connection. It is where friendships are forged, interests are discovered, and personalities are shaped. But this vibrant digital landscape also holds hidden dangers. Digital grooming the process by which a predator builds a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a young person online for the purpose of sexual abuse, exploitation, or trafficking is a pervasive threat that thrives in the shadows of this digital world.
This publication is the second in a two-part series. The first, “16 Acts of Digital Grooming That Must End,” identified and exposed the manipulative tactics predators use. Now, we shift from awareness to action.
This guide, “16 Actions to End Digital Grooming,” is a comprehensive roadmap for individuals, families, schools, communities, tech companies, and policymakers. It is a call to collective responsibility, providing concrete, actionable steps we can all take to build a safer digital world for every child.
The fight against digital grooming is not one we can win with fear or restriction alone. It requires a proactive, multi-layered strategy built on a foundation of trust, education, empowerment, and smart design. It requires us to equip young people with the skills to navigate their world confidently, to build support systems that are resilient and responsive, and to hold the architects of our digital spaces accountable for the safety of their youngest users.
These 16 actions are a blueprint for change. They are designed to be understood and implemented by everyone—from a parent starting a difficult conversation at the dinner table to a CEO redesigning a platform’s safety features. Together, they form a powerful strategy to reclaim our digital spaces and ensure they are places where young people can thrive, free from fear and exploitation.
