The number of online exploitation has exploded dramatically since the Covid lockdown.  National Center for Missing and Exploited Children  (which is an amazing organization)  reports processing more than 80,000 potential instances of online child exploitation every day in 2020.  That is more than  29 million in one year.  So how do predators recognize when a child might be easy to groom and exploit?

Predators look for young people who are available and vulnerable.  They pay close attention to kids that are easy to seduce and manipulate.  If often starts with making them feel special, unique and seeking approval or inclusion.  They look for posts that the young person might make, that indicates they are lonely or stressed due to a life event such as Mom and Dad fighting, breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend, or not succeeding at school.  They become a sympathetic friend and will quickly attempt to isolate the child by getting them to go to private chat rooms, or by instant messaging.  They may share suggestive videos of others or tell dirty jokes to lower their defenses.  They often develop a secret bond with the child creating an "us against them" scenario with the family.