Grooming can affect any child regardless of age, gender, race or socio-economic background.
However, children who may be particularly vulnerable include:
- looked after children and children known to social care.
- children who are exploring their sexuality and identity online
- those with special educational needs and learning difficulties (SEND), for example those who experience social and communication difficulties.
- children with low self-esteem and confidence (those who might be lacking and seeking validation)
- children who have limited awareness about online risks.
- those whose online activity isn't appropriately supervised or monitored.
- children who aren't in mainstream education, for example due to school exclusion.
(Coffey and Lloyd, 2014; DfE, 2017; Children's Society, 2019).
Children who contacted Childline about online sexual abuse also talked about:
- difficulties forming healthy relationships and trusting people.
- struggling with eating and sleeping
- having difficulty concentrating at school
- experiencing mental health issues including suicidal thoughts
- feeling frightened of using online platforms
- feeling lonely, ashamed and embarrassed