Recognize pressure and grooming
Identify concerning behavior and practice involving a safe adult.
Academy overviewUnderstand
Online enticement can occur in games, messages, and social platforms. NCMEC describes tactics including relationship-building, incentives, and sexual requests. Focus on behavior and boundaries; a friendly account or a claimed age cannot establish safety.
What to watch for
For discussion, imagine someone asking a child to hide a conversation from every trusted adult. The safety question is not whether the profile looks convincing. It is whether the interaction is pressuring the child or crossing a boundary.
What to do
Practice ending an uncomfortable interaction and involving a safe adult. If there is suspected sexual exploitation, use the reporting guide. Do not require the child to continue a conversation to collect evidence.
What to avoid
Do not use appearance, occupation, gender, or a mental-health label to decide who is safe. Children should not have to investigate another person’s intentions.
Talk about it
“You do not owe someone secrecy, pictures, or continued contact because they were nice to you.”
Practice
Write a fictional boundary-crossing message without sexual detail. Practice a short exit and name two adults who could help.
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Show the answer
Correct answer: Pause the interaction and involve a safe adult
Secrecy and pressure deserve attention. A child does not need to establish an offender’s identity before asking for help.
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Choose one activity to try before your next lesson.