Online predators are defined as adults who use the Internet to exploit children for sexual purposes. Forms of online exploitation involve online stalking, child grooming (communication by an adult with a child, with the intent of later engaging in sexual contact), posting sexual pictures or videos of victims and having victims send sexual pictures or videos of themselves to the predator.
Child exploitation online, however, is not limited to sex crimes committed by pedophiles and sex offenders. The online distribution of child pornography and self-exploitation through sexting (sending sexually explicit images or text messages through cell phones or the Internet) are now day-to-day challenges for law enforcement.
Online predators usually find their victims on social networking sites, blogs, chat rooms, online discussion boards and websites. With the end goal of face-to-face contact, they employ several tactics, such as sympathizing with kid’s problems, keeping up with latest on youth culture, emotional abuse, guilt trips and threats.
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