Beware of Child Grooming: Recognise the Stages of Manipulation and Perpetrators' Targets According to IDAI

The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) has issued a strong warning to parents regarding the increasing threat of child grooming, which is rampant both in the real world and in digital spaces. This psychological manipulation effort aims to sexually exploit children and adolescents through a highly systematic approach.

Dr. dr. Ariani, Sp.A, Subsp.T.K.P.S(K), M. Kes, a member of IDAI’s Coordinating Unit for Growth and Development and Social Paediatrics, explained that perpetrators often use fake identities or disguise themselves as others on digital platforms such as social media, online games, and messaging applications.

“Perpetrators often use fake identities, or disguise themselves with photos and identities of others,” Ariani stated during an online seminar in Jakarta, quoted on Sunday (5/4).

Ariani revealed that perpetrators tend to select victims who are considered emotionally vulnerable. However, she emphasised that even children who appear “fine” are not immune to the risk, especially adolescents in the phase of seeking self-actualisation.

This crime does not happen instantly. According to Ariani, there are planned stages carried out by perpetrators to ensnare their victims:

Parental awareness of changes in children’s behaviour and monitoring of digital activities is the key to preventing sexual exploitation through the child grooming modus operandi. (Ant/Z-1)