Presumably, if a child is old enough to have a social media profile, they are old enough to understand the dangers of potentially being groomed.
If your daughter has a Facebook profile, you’ve talked to her about it. Warned her not to engage in conversation with people she doesn’t know. That the 14 year old boy she is talking too could actually be anyone.
So had these parents:
And its not just girls. Boys can be groomed too. Actually, I think it needs to instilled even more in boys. After all, they aren’t going to feel very threatened talking to a girl. It is important to make them understand it might not be a girl.
These parents thought they had done that:
Please ensure your children fully understand this. Even if it scares them. Being scared is better than the alternative here. Show them these videos. They will probably think it won’t happen to them. I’m sure these kids thought the same. They were the lucky ones.
Have you talked to your child about the dangers of grooming? Are you 100% confident they have taken it on board? Let me know in the comments 🙂
As a mother of a (very young) girl, this absolutely terrifies me. There is so much I want to protect her from but also teach her about with frightening her. Really haunting post and has given me food for thought for the day, thanks.
You're right, finding the balance between making sure she is safe and terrifying the life out of here is a fine line. Thank you 🙂
Terrifying thoughts but essential to spread the word (however uncomfortable). Thanks for sharing #TwinklyTuesday
It's not a nice thing to talk about, but if we don't talk about it, we make it easier for the people doing it! Thank you 🙂
It's definitely a two edged sword, and it should be monitored and treated EXTREMELY carefully. 'Wise as serpents, harmless and doves.'
It definitely needs to be monitored, and children need to understand the dangers.
I have to be careful. Sylviua was watching Disney songs on youtube but there is a rude almost pornographic Disney group or genra and i always have to chekc she has none gone to the wrong videos. It's frustrating and i dont like it that people take something for children and make it dirty and rude…anyway thats my thought on the matter and it means I have to be careful and sit with her to supervise her viewing experience.
A good post Debs and something very important!
Yeah, there should really be some sort of warning on them. Even kids who wouldn't choose to watch something like that can end up on there quite easily and not realise what it is until its too late. Thank you 🙂
It really is so scary to think that literally could be at the other end and not be saying who they really are, for any age!!! It definately is a conversation that needs to be spoken about more!
Yes it is, and you're right, its not just children this could happen to. I found it scary how quickly the children in the videos agreed at meet a stranger!
It freaks me out. Tbh I couldn't even watch those clips because I wouldn't sleep. My girls are far too young for social media profiles but it is something that worries me.
Just to clarify, there is nothing too disturbing in the videos, the children's parents are present at all times and no one gets hurt or anything, but they are still pretty scary, just because they show how easy it is!
Good point about boys as parents often think they can look out for themselves when in reality they need support too. The cases of grooming over social media is increasing as technology advances and we must keep our younger generation safe.
Yeah, boys often get overlooked as sometimes even parents sort of forget that its not really another teenager they are dealing with. Totally agree about keeping the younger generation safe.
My boys are still far to young to be on social media 4 and a baby. However it scares me to think what it will be like when they are older. Although they are both boys I still think it is just as dangerous as it is for girls. I think as parents we must keep a close close eye on them. x
It is equally dangerous because its not really a 15 year old girl they are talking to, it is a grown adult who could over power them! I agree, monitoring their online behaviour etc is so important x
These videos are petrifying and the reality is that it is so easy to fall victim,especially now that everything is online or computer generated, you can never be too careful that is why it is so important to monitor if possible and videos like this help to not only educate but instil some fear too.
I totally agree! I think the videos would help teenagers to see how easy it is to fall into these traps because they are visual and won't just been seen as over protective parents.
I know how harmful social media can be myself, so it always worries me that my 11 year old sister has a tablet and an Instagram account. x
Yeah that would worry me too! Hopefully she's got it set to private.
"Who are you?" Even I got scared at that part. This is so scary and we should be talking to our children! Thanks for sharing this important message! Hope to see you again #abitofeverything
They are scary and they show how easy to is to do that to someone if kids aren't vigilant enough. Thank you and thanks for hosting!
I actually made my children watch the two videos today. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this post. Such an important message.
Thank you, it really is important. I hope your children got something from the video 🙂
I have spoken to my eldest about the dangerous of the internet and social media. He's 12. HE keeps asking.. No, BEGGING me to let him have Facebook and the answer is always no! I don't care that his friends all have Facebook. He isn't having it until he's old enough and even then… It depends on how responsible he is. It is SO important to make children aware of the dangers. I'll be drilling it into my other two (younger) children, too. I'd be quite happy for them to never have social media… IF I had my way! Great post. xx
Good on you for standing your ground! I agree that you have to feel he's responsible enough bore he can be on there. Thank you 🙂 x
I remember watching this on Facebook and being freaked out of my mind. The world we live in is scary enough without added weirdos.
I just hope I can educate my kids well enough.
Great post hun
Charlotte x
I first saw one of the videos on Facebook, that's what got me thinking about writing this post. All you can really do is make them aware and reiterate it over and over! Thank you 🙂 x
I can't imagine letting my little one free on the internet, it's such a scary place! Xx
It really is! Its a scary thought! x
Since having the internet I've drummed it into my two that it's not always a safe place to be and things/people aren't always what they seem to be. Luckily they aren't really into social media and will only occasionally browse their FaceBook accounts, which tends to be on the main computer as it's got the best connection.
The internet is a dangerous place and it is up to us as parents to make sure our children know it.
xx
That's good, if they are rarely on social media, its unlikely they will be inboxing strangers. It is dangerous if you don't know what you're getting into. Well done for drumming the message into them 🙂 x
I watched these on Facebook a while back and I showed them to my 3 kids aged 13, 10 and 7.My eldest has no inclination to go on social media but I still talk to him about the perils as I was victim of a online stalker for two years.
I think its important to have the conversation before they are really into it, then they go into it with their eyes open. Oh I'm really sorry to hear that, it must have been scary, I hope you got it sorted now!
Very important to have the conversation with them. My sister hasn't yet let my 13 year old nephew on facebook although he does have instagram. I know she'll have told him the dangers though. We are many many years away from having to deal with this with Zach only being 3. Who knows what we'll be dealing with by the time our time comes around! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
I don't think Instagram is quite as bad (although obviously I agree you still need to have the conversation) as generally there is less opportunity due to no private messaging. I dread to think what is still to come! Thanks for hosting 🙂