Unwanted sexual contact
Children and young people can communicate with people online who they don’t know, or have not met, in real life. While being in contact with new people can be exciting, the anonymity offered by the internet can allow these new contacts to cover their true identities. For example, someone who says they are a 10 year-old girl could actually be a 40 year-old man. This anonymity means that sexual solicitation and online grooming can occur online and are serious risks.
Sexual solicitation is where someone is asked to engage in a sexual conversation or activity or to send a sexually explicit image or information.
Online grooming and procuring of children over the internet is the illegal act of an adult or adults making online contact with a child under the age of sixteen with the intention of facilitating a sexual relationship. More information is available from the Australian Federal Police which investigates suspected cases of online grooming.
Risk of unwanted sexual contact
Signs of unwanted sexual contact
Tips for parents
Resources and information
Cybersmart Online Helpline