Spotting Online Grooming or Sexual Bullying

How to Spot Online Grooming

Online grooming of children by predatory adults is a genuine concern for parents. Sexual bullying of children by their peers is also a serious problem.
how to spot online grooming

Online Indicators

Below is a list of online terms that could be a sign of grooming or bullying.

Physical Signs

Of course, as well as indicators in messaging apps or chat forums, there may be physical signs too. Here is an extract from the NSPCC:
Some of the signs you might see include:
  • being secretive about how they're spending their time, including when online
  • having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
  • having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can't or won't explain
  • drinking underage taking drugs
  • spending more or less time online or on their devices
  • being upset, withdrawn, or distressed
  • displaying sexualised behaviour, language or an understanding of sex that's not appropriate for their age
  • spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

List of Online Indicators

Terms That Suggest Inappropriate Activity

It is worth learning the following common slang terms as they suggest your child:
  • Is part of a conversation of a sexual nature.
  • Is being groomed for a meeting.
  • Is hiding inappropriate activity from parents.
Term and MeaningImage
BANGTIDY

Sexy or Good Looking
C2C

Camera to Camera (webcams)
DLS

Dirty Little Secret
DMTA

Dirty Minds Think Alike
ERP

Erotic Role Play
FIRM

Attractive/Fit Body
FYEO

For Your Eyes Only
H/U

Hook Up Make Out
HORNY

Turned On
IITYWYKM

If I Tell You Will You Kiss Me?
IKWYL

I Know Where You Live
INY

I Need You
IWY

I Want You
KPC

Keep Parents Clueless
LFTSU

Looking Forward to Seeing You
LGFB

Looks Good from Behind
LMIRL

Let's Meet Up In Real Life
M33T

Meet
MMAMP

Meet Me At My Place
MIRL

Meet Up In Real Life
NCMO

Non-Committal Make Out
NBG

Nasty But Good
PC4PC

Picture Comment for Picture Comment
PFP

Picture for Proof
RTF

Return the Favour
RUA

Are You Alone?
WNOHGB

Where No One Has Gone Before
YBW

You've Been Warned

Warnings of Inappropriate Activity

It is also worth being familiar with the terms below as they might offer a warning that your child is involved in an inappropriate conversation, which could lead to more serious activity.
Term and MeaningImage
AITR

Adult In The Room
ASL

Age, Sex, Location
ASLP

Age, Sex, Location (Picture)
ATAP

Any Time, Any Place
AYFT

Are You Free Today?
BBY

Baby
BCWW

Bom Chicka Wah Wah (porn riff from the 70s)
BFK

Big Fat Kiss
BMAK

Blow Me a Kiss
BOLTOP

Better On Lips Than On Paper
BRE

Sexy Girl
CLWY

Can't Live Without You
CUTIE

Attractive Person
CWTCU

Can't Wait To See You
CWTSY

Can't Wait To See You
DTC

Down To Cuddle
DURS

Damn, You Are Sexy
DYLM

Do You Love Me?
F2F

Face to Face
GOMD

Guy/Girl of My Dreams
ICSTAY

I Can't Stop Thinking About You
ILY

I Love You
IRL

In Real Life
IWIWT

I Wish I Was There
NMI

Need More Info
PHU

Potential Hook Up
RDV

Rendez-Vous
S2R

Send to Receive
WLTM

Would Like to Meet

Help Us Improve Cyber Definitions

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