Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reminded parents and minors about the risks of online grooming and measures to protect children on the internet. The department has listed signs of dangerous communication and recommendations for safe behaviour in the digital environment.
WHAT IS ONLINE GROOMING
According to Polisia.kz, online grooming is a scheme in which offenders attempt to build trusting relationships with children via the internet.
Acquaintance usually begins on social networks, messaging apps, online games, or popular internet platforms. In doing so, the offender may pose as a teenager to gain the minor's trust.
HOW THE CONVERSATION DEVELOPS
In the early stages, the communication may appear friendly and harmless. Gradually, the interlocutor seeks to become a close friend to the child, maintains daily contact, and shows heightened interest in their personal life, worries, and problems.
Over time, the offender begins to inquire about the child's daily routine, place of residence, social circle, and other personal details. This may be followed by requests to send photographs or videos, as well as to move on to more intimate topics.
WHAT THE MIA WARNS ABOUT
The MIA reminded that an online groomer is an adult who intentionally makes contact with a minor via the internet to gain their trust and subsequently cause harm.
According to the department, offenders may persuade the child not to tell anyone about the correspondence or exert psychological pressure. The materials do not specify which particular cases are being referred to.
WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE RECOMMENDED
The MIA recommends not engaging in communication with strangers on the internet, not sharing personal data, home address, phone number, place of study, or other confidential information.
Children are also advised not to send photographs or videos to unknown users, to end communication if the interlocutor brings up intimate topics or asks to keep the correspondence secret, to block suspicious accounts, and to inform parents about such contacts.
THE ROLE OF PARENTS
The department called on parents to regularly discuss safe internet behaviour rules with their children and to pay attention to changes in their online activity.
The MIA emphasised that a child's safety in the digital environment requires the same vigilance as in real life.