Parents urged to be selective in "sharenting" to prevent "cyber grooming"

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has reminded parents to be wary of the potential for cyber grooming by being selective in their sharenting practices on social media. “The importance of parents’ strategic role in preventing online-based violence against children, particularly cyber grooming, which is increasing along with the rapid activity of children in the digital space. Parents need to rethink and be selective in sharenting,” said KPAI member Kawiyan in Jakarta on Thursday. Cyber grooming is a form of online-based violence carried out through manipulative approaches by perpetrators to children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and others. Meanwhile, sharenting is the habit of parents sharing photos, videos, and information about their children on social media or online platforms. According to Kawiyan, unknowingly, excessive sharenting practices can open access for perpetrators or predators to identify, map, and even target children in the digital space. He said that cyber grooming is one of the most dangerous risks faced by children in the digital space. This form of violence occurs when the perpetrator builds a relationship and trust with the child through the online world gradually, manipulatively, and covertly, with the aim of exploitation. “Because it happens subtly and is often not realised, cyber grooming is difficult to recognise from the start, both by the child as the victim and by parents,” he said. This condition makes it a serious threat that can impact the safety, mental health, and future of children, thus requiring collective vigilance as well as strengthening digital literacy in families and the surrounding environment.