Online grooming: The hidden threat to South African children

LIFESTYLE NEWS - The internet is a double-edged sword for children, in South Africa too. On one hand, it offers them access to information, education and entertainment.

On the other hand, it exposes them to online abuse and exploitation that can have devastating consequences.

According to a UNICEF SA Kids Online Study, 95% of children in the country regularly use the internet, but most of them are unaware of the dangers they face or how to avoid them. The Disrupting Harm in South Africa report also reveals that nearly 9% of South African children between the ages of 9 and 18 have experienced some form of online abuse and exploitation.

Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, says that protecting children online requires a new approach.

“Children are using various apps and social media platforms without understanding the impact they have on their lives. A child’s brain is still developing and their impulse control is reduced, as is their ability to make reasoned decisions. This makes it easy for them to become victims of abusers who prey on these vulnerabilities.”

The solution is to equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to identify and avoid risky situations online and to report any suspicious or harmful behaviour. Abusers often use fake identities and names to lure children into conversations on social networks, gaming platforms, chat forums and other real-time services. They may pretend to be someone of the same age or interest as the child and gradually build trust and intimacy.

“These people play the long game,” warns Collard. “They groom their victims for a long period, gradually desensitising them and convincing them to do different things. Often, they will initiate more explicit engagements by sending images of their own – images that are usually fake or from other children. Once a child sends their own pictures, the situation changes radically. The child is then manipulated into sending more and more naked pictures or coerced into meeting the attacker in person.”

A recent analysis of online child sexual exploitation revealed a shocking case of a 12-year-old girl who sent more than 600 explicit images to an account controlled by a 25-year-old abuser before she asked for help. “The trauma that this child, and many others like her, suffered is unimaginable and unacceptable for anyone, let alone for someone so young. Some feel trapped by the threat of exposure and the shame of their situation. And the abusers exploit those feelings,” says Collard.

She adds: “Now, with AI tools and other intelligent editing software, abusers create fake explicit images that they use to blackmail children into sending real ones. They are too young to realise that they can break the cycle or seek professional help, and the abusers take advantage of this.”

The internet is not a safe place without proper precautions. The first step is for parents and guardians to recognise that online abuse and exploitation can happen to anyone, including their children. It is a real and serious threat that needs to be addressed openly and honestly. By doing so, parents can help their children become more aware of the dangers and more confident that they have someone to support them.

“It is also important to avoid sharing pictures of your children online,” says Collard. “I know it is tempting to show off your adorable child to the world, and that is what social media was originally meant for – to share lives and stories. However, these images can be stolen and altered and used to manipulate your children. There is also the issue of consent – your children may not want their pictures online.”

Many parents do not realise how their online behaviour affects their children. They post countless photos of their kids without considering their privacy or preferences. They should respect their children’s right to choose whether they want to be online, what pictures they want to share and who they want to see them. If you have already uploaded photos of your children online, you should consult them and either keep them or remove them.

“Teach your children how to spot online predators; boost their confidence by showing them how you are protecting their privacy online. Help them take basic precautions to prevent or report any risky situations before they get worse,” concludes Collard. “Use online security tools, be open and honest about online activities, and keep an eye on their behaviour. There are resources available to assist parents and children in this area, but the most important step is to be aware, acknowledge the dangers and educate your children.”